23 April 2008

The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards requires OEMs to achieved a combined fuel economy of 35mpg for cars and trucks by 2020. The new proposals set tougher interim targets that will make it harder for OEMs to earn credits for exceeding this target.

 

US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said: “This is ambitious, but achievable. It will help us all breathe a little easier by reducing tailpipe emissions, cutting fuel consumption and making driving a little more affordable.”

 

The proposal calls for passenger cars to increase fuel economy from the current 27.5mpg to 35.7mpg by 2015. It seeks an increase for light trucks from 23.5mpg in 2010 to 28.6mpg in 2015.

 

General Motors, like other car manufacturers, just wants to focus on the 2020 CAFE target. The company said: “We intend to meet the tough, new national CAFE standards of 35 mpg for cars and trucks combined by 2020. It’s a dramatic increase of 40 per cent. NHTSA’s proposed rule lays out the first set of standards toward this target. GM will work with NHTSA throughout its rulemaking process on the yearly targets and the sensible mechanisms needed to meet this challenge.”

 

Secretary Peters said: “The goal is to save fuel, not endanger jobs.  The proposal will save nearly 55 billion gallons of fuel and a reduction in CO2 emissions of around 521 million metric tons. The plan will save America’s drivers over $100 billion in fuel costs.”

 

Over the last six years, the US government 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.