23-03-06
Focusing on better gas mileage, the Bush administration is expected
to complete its overhaul of fuel economy rules for pickup trucks, minivans and
most sport utility vehicles.
The rules, first proposed last August, would require the auto industry to raise
standards for light trucks, beginning in 2008. All automakers would have to
comply with the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) system by 2011, the
most significant change to the program in three decades.
Under the current system, automakers must maintain an average of 21.6 miles
per gallon for 2006 model year light trucks, a number that grows to 22.2 mpg for
2007 vehicles. Passenger cars, which would not be covered by the new rules, need
a 27.5 mpg average.
The proposal issued last summer would lead to a projected fleetwide average of
24 mpg by 2011, a total improvement of 1.8 mpg over four years. Automakers would
need to meet fuel economy targets based on their mix of vehicles.
Nearly two months after President Bush declaredthat "America is addicted to
oil," environmental groups said a stronger plan could help the administration
advance its goal of reducing the nation's dependence on imported oil amid high
gasoline prices and worries about energy security.
"This will be a real test about how serious he is about ending this addiction,"
said David Friedman, research director of the clean vehicles program for the
Union of Concerned Scientists.
Bush did not mention fuel economy changes, but expressed interest in working
with Congress "to advance an agenda that will make us less dependent on foreign
oil, an agenda that includes hybrid cars and advanced ethanol fuels and hydrogen
cells."
The plan would move away from a single standard for light trucks and create
different mileage goals for six sizes of vehicles. In 2008, smaller SUVs, such
as the Toyota RAV 4, would need to reach a target of 26.8 mpg, while large
vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Silverado, would have to hit 20.4 mpg.
The auto industry, which has fought past attempts to raise fuel economy
standards, but expressed support for the plan's direction, said the new system
would mean seven straight years of higher gas mileage requirements. General
Motors and Ford Motor have said the current system puts them at a strategic
disadvantage against their competitors because sales of large SUVs must be
offset by the sale of smaller light trucks to comply with fuel economy rules.
The administration said last summer that the reforms would save more fuel than
any previous rulemaking in the history of the light truck program, or about 10
bn gallons of oil during the lifetime of the vehicles sold during the span.
Environmental groups have sought a higher fleetwide average and increased oil
savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The oil savings represent only a
fraction of what Americans consume each year, they noted.
"We hope they take the opportunity to save oil and not aim low here," said Eric
Haxthausen, an economist with Environmental Defence who has recommended a
fleetwide average of 26 mpg.
Source: www.courant.com