USDOT Proposes 36-mpg Fuel Economy Standard For 2015
April 24, 2008
In conjunction with Earth Day celebrations, US Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters introduced proposed regulations that would require automakers to achieve an average fuel economy of 35.7 mpg for passenger cars, and 28.6 mpg for light trucks by 2015, five years ahead of the Congressional CAFE standard of 35 mpg by 2020.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the new regulations would save 55 billion gallons of fuel, reduce carbon emissions by 521 million metric tons and save drivers an estimated $100 billion in fuel costs.
The proposed USDOT regulations also establish a system of credits that automakers would earn for exceeding the proposed regulations. Such credits could then be used to offset sanctions imposed on vehicle lines that do not meet the CAFE regulations. Credits could be stored by the automaker or sold to other automakers.
Auto analysts have already said that automakers can only meet the CAFE standards by introducing hybrid vehicle technologies. The major automakers in the US are already under regulations that require the production of reduced-emission vehicles by 2012. In addition, several US states have initiated their own emissions policies, although California has recently reduced its emissions requirements for automakers who sell cars in that state.
GM and Daimler have both said that they are prepared to meet the standards regardless of the cost of doing so.
Source: NHTSA
Photo Credit: Matthew Maaskant
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