歐巴馬政府在1日宣布,將會制定更嚴格的溫室氣體以及燃油經濟性標準,限制2017年至2025年間出廠的客車與卡車排放。今年4月份所制定的國家標準,則將涵蓋2012至2016年間的車型。
美國國家公路交通安全管理局和美國環境保護署在一項聯合聲明中說,這個方案與歐巴馬總統減少溫室氣體與提升燃料效率的願景一致,將引領全世界透過創新的技術以及製造方式,開發新一代潔淨的車輛。
環保署表示,「氣候變遷是全球環境最大的一個單一挑戰,」汽車,SUV,箱型車和小型卡車消耗了美國運輸用石油的57%,幾乎佔了與運輸有關的溫室氣體排放的6成。
環保署長傑克森(Lisa Jackson)說,「持續進行低排放車輛的計畫,長期下來會促進對環境的效益,對健康的保護以及結能科技的發展。為了進一步保護空氣並減少燃油消耗,明確的方向可以讓汽車製造業確定,他們必須要做出正確的投資以及推動創新。」
美國運輸部長拉胡德(Ray LaHood)表示,「我們必須,也會保持目前的態勢,確保所有在美國銷售的汽車都有最佳的燃油經濟性,並且盡少排放溫室氣體。」
「持續進行這項國家計畫,將有助於減少全國對石油的倚賴,進而建立更安全的能源未來,這是自1970年代第一次石油價格衝擊以來,國家既定的政策目標,」拉胡德說。
1日所公佈的意向書(Notice of Intent)符合歐巴馬總統在5月21日所提的備忘錄內容,要求環保署與運輸部(DOT)制定協作計畫,提出擴大國家計畫的法規,並且與加州空氣資源委員會(California Air Resources Board)合作,發展評估技術,做為制定規範的基礎。
作為回應,上述3個機構對未來潛在的標準進行了初步評估,發現2025年以前,溫室氣體的每年3%至6%的減排量範圍內,或是提升至每加侖47至62英哩是有可能的。
這些機構表示,他們的評估說明了「先進的技術可以用來達到大幅減少燃油消耗以及溫室氣體的目標。」
根據這些分析與假設,研究機構發現2025年時,透過這些科技達到嚴格的目標,每輛車的成本增加約在770美元到3500美元之間。
2025年出廠,符合這些更嚴格排放標準的車輛,在生命週期內所節省的成本將在4900美元到7400美元之間。
而2025年出廠符合標準的新車,其生命週期內所減少的溫室氣體量將介在3.4至5.9億公噸,所減少的油耗則在7至13億桶之間。
山岳協會綠色運輸部(Sierra Club Green Transportation)部長梅斯尼可夫(Ann Mesnikoff)說,「儘管我們預計會有來自汽車業的阻力,燃油節約科技是可能在2025年以前,達到甚至超越每加侖60英哩(譯按:約每公升25公里)的水準。」「消費者在加油站內省的錢,遠比開發新科技來得多,沒有理由設定更低的目標。」守護自然資源聯盟、美國關懷環境科學家聯盟以及山岳協會繼續共同呼籲,要求政府在設定2025年以前車輛至少達到每加侖60英哩的油耗量目標,並且設定全球暖化汙染排放標準在每英哩143克以下。這些團體共同設置了網站 www.GO60mpg.com,以推動這項工作。
由12家主要小客車以及輕型卡車所組成的汽車製造業聯盟的麥柯迪(Dave McCurdy)在1日表示,聯盟支持國家的單一計畫,改善燃油經濟性以及溫室氣體的減量排放。
麥柯迪說,聯盟承諾會致力與聯邦機構和加州政府合作,以生產「符合消費者需要,讓他們可以選擇並且負擔得起的車輛,」來達成上述目地。
該聯盟會在2017至2025年間,審查各項影響車輛燃油技術評估的結果。
「那包含了車輛技術、科技花費,汽油的支出,低炭能源的發展,插電式混合動力車的基礎建設發展以及電池技術,」麥柯迪提醒,要注意這些假設「是基於非常初步且不完整的數據,」很可能會有變動。
研究機構分析了4個可能的技術途徑,讓工業界可以追尋,達成更嚴格的目標。而個別廠商仍有更廣泛的途徑可以達成目標。
第1種情況是,使用新一代的汽油車並減少車輛數,也就是減少上路的汽車數量。
第2種方案則是著重在發展油電混合動力車、插電式混合動力車、以及全電動車,而第3種方案則是將第1與第2種結合。
第4種方案則是強調電動車以及插電式混合動力車,減少對汽油車與油電混合車的重視,在量上減少汽油的使用。
這些機構強調並指出,這份技術評估報告並沒有為2017至2025年間出場的車輛,訂出一個特定的縮減排放程度。這份報告對國家計畫的延續相當重要,但仍有許多工作要進行,以持續將來聯邦規則的制定。
The Obama administration served notice today that it is developing tougher greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for passenger cars and trucks built in model years 2017 through 2025. A national program finalized in April covers cars from model years 2012-2016.
The program is in keeping with President Barack Obama's vision to reduce greenhouse gases and increase fuel efficiency and lead the world in the development of a new generation of clean cars and trucks through innovative technologies and manufacturing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a joint statement.
"Climate change is the single greatest long-term global environmental challenge," the agencies said. "Cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are responsible for 57 percent of U.S. transportation petroleum use and almost 60 percent of all transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions."
"Continuing the successful clean cars program will accelerate the environmental benefits, health protections and clean technology advances over the long-term. In addition to protecting our air and cutting fuel consumption, a clear path forward will give American automakers the certainty they need to make the right investments and promote innovations," said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.
"We must, and we will, keep the momentum going to make sure that all motor vehicles sold in America are realizing the best fuel economy and greenhouse gas reductions possible," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
"Continuing the national program would help create a more secure energy future by reducing the nation's dependence on oil, which has been a national objective since the first oil price shocks in the 1970s," said LaHood.
Today's Notice of Intent meets the requirements of President Obama's May 21 Memorandum, which directed EPA and DOT to lay out a coordinated plan, to propose regulations to extend the national program and to coordinate with the California Air Resources Board in developing a technical assessment to inform the rulemaking process.
In response, the three agencies performed an initial assessment of potential future standards, which found annual greenhouse gas reductions in the range of three to six percent per year, or 47 to 62 mpg in 2025, are possible.
The agencies said their assessment demonstrates that "advanced technologies can be used to achieve substantial reductions in fuel consumption and greenhouse gases."
Based on this analysis and the assumptions employed, the agencies found that the per-vehicle cost increases for a 2025 vehicle ranged from $770 to $3,500 across the range of stringency targets and technology pathways.
The fuel savings achieved by MY 2025 vehicles meeting these more stringent targets would result in a net lifetime savings of between $4,900 and $7,400.
The greenhouse gas reductions ranged from 340 to 590 million metric tons and fuel reduction ranged from 0.7 to 1.3 billion barrels over the lifetime of MY 2025 vehicles.
"Despite expected resistance from the auto industry, fuel saving technologies are available to get to, or surpass, 60 mpg in 2025," said Mesnikoff. "Consumers will save far more at the pump than the technologies cost. There is no reason to aim lower."
Along with the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Environment America, the Sierra Club continues to call on the administration to set a standard of at least 60 mpg by 2025 and a global warming pollution standard of 143 grams per mile. The groups jointly have established www.GO60mpg.com to promote this effort.
Speaking for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade association of 12 major car and light truck manufacturers, Dave McCurdy said today the Alliance supports a single national program to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
McCurdy said the Alliance is "committed to working collaboratively" with the federal agencies and the state of California to "achieve these goals in a way that allows consumers to choose and afford vehicles that fit their needs."
The Alliance will review the technical assessment's assumptions regarding factors that will impact vehicle fuel economy increases over the 2017 through 2025 time period.
"These include vehicle technologies and technology costs, the cost of gasoline, development of low-carbon fuels, and development of infrastructure to charge plug-in hybrids and battery electrics," McCurdy said, noting these assumptions "are based on very preliminary and incomplete data" and will be subject to change.
The agencies analyzed four technology pathway scenarios that the industry could pursue to achieve more stringent targets, recognizing there are a wide range of pathways individual manufacturers could pursue.
One scenario relied upon advanced next generation gasoline vehicles and mass reduction, in other words, fewer cars on the road.
The second scenario focused on hybridization and electrification of the fleet with hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles, and the third was a blend of the first two.
The fourth pathway emphasizes electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, with a lesser degree of emphasis on advanced gasoline, hybrid electric vehicles, and mass reduction approaches.
The agencies emphasize that the Technical Assessment Report reaches no specific conclusions regarding the levels of stringency to propose for MYs 2017-2025. The report is an important step in a continuation of the National Program, but significant work remains to be done to support a future federal rulemaking.
全文及圖片詳見:ENS報導