Fuel Efficiency Memorandum
Fuel Efficiency Memorandum
America has the opportunity to lead the world in the development of a new generation of clean cars and
trucks through innovative technologies and manufacturing that will spur economic growth and create high-
quality domestic jobs, enhance our energy security, and improve our environment. We already have made
significant strides toward reducing greenhouse gas pollution and enhancing fuel efficiency from motor
vehicles with the joint rulemaking issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 1, 2010, which regulates these attributes of passenger
cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2012-2016. In this memorandum, I request that additional
coordinated steps be taken to produce a new generation of clean vehicles.
(a) Propose and take comment on strategies, including those designed to increase the use of
existing technologies, to achieve substantial annual progress in reducing transportation sector
emissions and fossil fuel consumption consistent with my Administration's overall energy and climate
security goals. These strategies should consider whether particular segments of the diverse heavy-
duty vehicle sector present special opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase
fuel economy. For example, preliminary estimates indicate that large tractor trailers, representing
half of all greenhouse gas emissions from this sector, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as
much as 20 percent and increase their fuel efficiency by as much as 25 percent with the use of
existing technologies;
(b) Include fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards that take into account the market
structure of the trucking industry and the unique demands of heavy-duty vehicle applications; seek
harmonization with applicable State standards; consider the findings and recommendations
published in the National Academy of Science report on medium- and heavy-duty truck regulation;
strengthen the industry and enhance job creation in the United States; and
(c) Seek input from all stakeholders, while recognizing the continued leadership role of California and
other States.
(a) Work with the State of California to develop by September 1, 2010, a technical assessment to
inform the rulemaking process, reflecting input from an array of stakeholders on relevant factors,
including viable technologies, costs, benefits, lead time to develop and deploy new and emerging
technologies, incentives and other flexibilities to encourage development and deployment of new and
emerging technologies, impacts on jobs and the automotive manufacturing base in the United
States, and infrastructure for advanced vehicle technologies; and
(b) Take all measures consistent with law to issue by September 30, 2010, a Notice of Intent to Issue
a Proposed Rule that announces plans for setting stringent fuel economy and greenhouse gas
emissions standards for light-duty vehicles of model year 2017 and beyond, including plans for
initiating joint rulemaking and gathering any additional information needed to support regulatory
action. The Notice should describe the key elements of the program that the EPA and the NHTSA
intend jointly to propose, under their respective statutory authorities, including potential standards
that could be practicably implemented nationally for the 2017-2025 model years and a schedule for
setting those standards as expeditiously as possible, consistent with providing sufficient lead time to
vehicle manufacturers.
(a) The Administrator of the EPA review for adequacy the current nongreenhouse gas emissions
regulations for new motor vehicles, new motor vehicle engines, and motor vehicle fuels, including
tailpipe emissions standards for nitrogen oxides and air toxics, and sulfur standards for gasoline. If
the Administrator of the EPA finds that new emissions regulations are required, then I request that
the Administrator of the EPA promulgate such regulations as part of a comprehensive approach
toward regulating motor vehicles; and
(b) The Secretary of Energy promote the deployment of advanced technology vehicles by providing
technical assistance to cities preparing for deployment of electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids
and all electric vehicles; and
(c) The Department of Energy work with stakeholders on the development of voluntary standards to
facilitate the robust deployment of advanced vehicle technologies and coordinate its efforts with the
Department of Transportation, the NHTSA, and the EPA.
(b) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or
procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments,
agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Sec. 5. Publication.
The Secretary of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the
Federal Register.
BARACK OBAMA