U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters described the plan as "historically ambitious, yet achievable." Ambitious indeed, the new regulations call for average passenger car fuel economy of 35.7mpg and average pickup truck and SUV economy of 28.6mpg.
The plan is designed to phase in over the intervening time, with improvements required every model year. The biggest increases are near the beginning of the plan, with average fuel economy set to reach 30.5 mpg by 2013, leaving only 1mpg improvement for the final two years of the plan.
One of the most insidious portions of the plan, however is its 'footprint'-based economy requirements. Large makers like Chrysler, GM, Ford and Toyota will only be required to average between 33.6mpg and 35.5mpg while small-volume maker Porsche will be required to achieve an average fuel efficiency of 41.3mpgby 2015, based on current product plans, reports The Detroit News.
The auto makers themselves are offering restrained commentary on the bill, with even Honda calling the goals "difficult" although they can be achieved. Ford, GM and Toyota are equally committed to meeting the requirements, and acknowledge the challenge the standards present.
Original: Everybody knows CAFE regulations will force carmakers in the U.S. to lift their fleet-wide average fuel economy levels to 35mpg for both cars and trucks by 2020, but what the feds haven’t outlined is what interim fuel economy targets will come into effect in the meantime.
Last month the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) submitted its proposal for annual fuel economy increases to the White House and now there are reports claiming the government will announce the final interim standards at this week's Earth Day event.
Although no official details have been released, Automotive News reports that the Earth Day announcement will reveal proposed fuel economy standards for cars and trucks in the 2011-15 model years. The Department of Transportation has also revealed that Secretary Mary Peters will also make an announcement on protecting the environment.
Most are predicting that by 2015, cars and trucks together would have to average nearly 30mpg to be able to reach the 35mpg by 2020 deadline. According to The Detroit News, the interim levels could be set as high as 35.7mpg for passegner cars and 28.6mpg for light trucks by 2015. Today the standard for cars is 27.5mpg and for trucks is 22.5mpg. Sadly, the uncertainly of the new standards has forced a number of carmakers to put development plans for several new models on hold, most notably GM and its RWD sedan and sports car program.
Reader Comments
Tue Apr 22 2008 4:51 PM
cj says
des it matter that you never get near the claimed figures?
My Audi A3 1.8TFSi after brimming it does 27mpg overall which is gnificantly below the figures for highway and town driving...and imgaine how bad a bigger car is
Tue Apr 22 2008 6:43 PM
Roy says
I guess the thing I don't understand is why you allow the most popular car manufacturers to get away with lower standards than niche smaller operations like Porsche. As it stands now, the most popular cars are allowed to be the least economical. So we'll have a whole bunch of less economical cars on the road...
Also, I assume we're all talking about US gallons here. When your gallon is bigger it's easier to get more miles out of it....
Tue Apr 22 2008 7:29 PM
Gus says
Good luck with that. We'll see if it actually transpires...
Tue Apr 22 2008 10:02 PM
Soupie says
so what happens if, say, a company doesnt reach the target? If they are off just slightly? off significantly? anyone know?
Wed Apr 23 2008 3:35 AM
DaveDav says
to Roy, the UK gallon is how I worked it out based upon the number of litres in a gallon, the number of litres I put in my car and how many miles I got
Wed Apr 23 2008 7:34 AM
chris says
well guys,... they did the same thing in the 70's.. .they doubled mileage within 15 years... all the EPA is asking for now is 40% in 12,... plus we've got computers now. and its the new millenium, which always seems to work with the activists.. for some reason.
remember what happened from 73 to 75? engines got a whole lot smaller.
a good example here is the new malibu is getting a small (2.4L??) 4 cylinder soon, with a 6 speed auto. expect more of that. smaller engines in bigger cars with more gears.
people think hybrids are pokey cars? they're going to find out just what the benefits of hybrid is when all cars get smaller engines.
like i've been saying, for the last 20 years, cars have gotten 1000 lbs heavier on average, and much more powerful, but fuel economy has stayed the same. expect engines to get smaller, and lighter materials to be used. and maybe we might see fewer of these fat cars. today's focus is as big as the 95 taurus.
Sat May 31 2008 8:12 AM
Gordon says
Presuming fuel prices are at or over $4 per gallon, these CAFE targets are irrelevant.
fuel prices are more likely to have increased in the next 5 years than fall significantly.
If GM, Ford, and any mainstream car maker is ONLY getting 30ish MPG by 2015 they will be niche car makers,, out of business, or owned by Toyota (for example).
If they are not producing 50 MPG by 2012 who would be dumb enough to buy a NEW car?.
Market Forces will be at work. The Buick is fading, as did the Oldsmobile. there may still be a niche of older people that think there is status tied to their mode of transportation.
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