What new CAFE standards are being proposed?
Early in May 2007 the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill that would require light duty passenger vehicles to increase in average fuel economy by four percent annually beginning in 2011. By 2020, mileage would average 35 MPG across the industry. Additionally, several states, again led by California, are seeking the right to limit carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles beginning in 2009. Some automakers have in turn sued these states, claming the right to determine fuel economy standards belongs to the federal government exclusively. As highlighted in the recent court case in Vermont, passenger cars would have to average 43.9 MPG by 2016 and trucks 26.9 MPG in order to meet Vermonts proposed 30-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, President George W. Bush outlined a plan to reduce gasoline consumption by 20 percent in the next 10 years. Along with employing alternative energy fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, the strategy seeks to raise CAFE standards fo
Early in May 2007 the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill that would require light duty passenger vehicles to increase in average fuel economy by four percent annually beginning in 2011. By 2020, mileage would average 35 MPG across the industry. Additionally, several states, again led by California, are seeking the right to limit carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles beginning in 2009. Some automakers have in turn sued these states, claming the right to determine fuel economy standards belongs to the federal government exclusively. As highlighted in the recent court case in Vermont, passenger cars would have to average 43.9 MPG by 2016 and trucks 26.9 MPG in order to meet Vermonts proposed 30-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, President George W. Bush outlined a plan to reduce gasoline consumption by 20 percent in the next 10 years.
