EPA’s new rules for cars, light duty vehicles strongest in history – saving consumers $1 trillion

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Today the Michigan League of Conservation Voters hailed new pollution standards released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for cars and light-duty vehicles sold after 2026 – a historic move that will cut tailpipe emissions and reduce pollution in our air and water.

“The EPA’s new strong standard for cars and light-duty trucks will reduce pollution, protect our health and ultimately save lives,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution, which is why this much needed rule puts us on a path towards a cleaner future especially in environmental justice communities where tailpipe pollution hurts the most.”

The EPA’s new rules will simultaneously save drivers money at the pump and fight the climate crisis. The rules are estimated to help consumers save at least $1 trillion.

As is the case in Michigan, communities of color experience disproportionate harm from transportation pollution, leading to increased rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Curbing tailpipe emissions will eliminate 7.3 billion metric tons of climate pollution, which is the equivalent of eliminating all tailpipe pollution for four years. The new clean cars standard will alsoprevent 89,000 premature deaths, 2.2 million asthma attacks and 10.7 million lost work days after the transition to zero-pollution vehicles.