DOT Proposes 25 Percent Increase in Fuel Efficiency Standards
Under a recently announced proposal, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said fuel efficiency standards for both passenger vehicles and light trucks would increase by 4.5 percent per year during a five-year period ending in 2015. This overall 25 percent improvement exceeds the 3.3 percent baseline proposed by Congress last year. "This proposal is historically ambitious, yet achievable," she said. "It will help us all breathe a little easier by reducing tailpipe emissions, cutting fuel consumption, and making driving a little more affordable."
For passenger cars, the proposal would increase fuel economy from the current 27.5 miles per gallon to 35.7 miles per gallon by 2015. For light trucks, the proposal calls for increases from 23.5 miles per gallon in 2010 to 28.6 miles per gallon in 2015. The proposal would save nearly 55 billion gallons of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 521 million metric tons.
As required by Congress, the proposed rule allows for automakers to earn credits for exceeding Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards. This will serve as an incentive for companies to exceed these goals while giving manufacturers flexibility to meet the standards without compromising their economic vitality. The goal is to save fuel, not endanger jobs, Peters added. "Looking at the fuel-efficient technologies already available, it's easy to see a not-too-distant future when cars fueled by something other than gasoline will be readily available and affordable," she said. "Until that time, however, we will continue to do what we can, safely and efficiently, to improve gas mileage and help consumers spend less time and less money at the pump."
During the past six years, the administration has twice made changes to the nation's CAFE standards, including the first since 1975 to increase mileage requirements for light trucks. Last year, President Bush called for an energy plan that goes even further by requiring attribute-based fuel efficiency standards for passenger vehicles. A copy of the CAFE proposal can be found at www.nhtsa.gov.