U.S. Expected to Boost Fuel Economy Standards
From Reuters
The Bush administration is expected to announce today a modest rise in fuel economy standards for light trucks that industry experts say will not hurt struggling U.S. automakers that produce the least efficient models of popular sport utility vehicles and pickups.
Transportation planners believe that changes to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards through 2011 will save billions of gallons of gasoline and address President Bush’s call for consumers to be more energy efficient.
The light truck standard, last updated three years ago, requires 22.5 miles per gallon for the current model year. Federal transportation officials would not comment on the final regulation ahead of its release.
