Barack Obama, President of USA, proposed the most dramatic increases in fuel economy standards today since Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations were introduced following the oil embargo of the 1970s. The President was joined by Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar/Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo – which together account for over 90% of all vehicles sold in the United States – as well as the United Auto Workers (UAW), and the State of California, who were integral to developing this agreement, the president garnered the support to raise the federal corporate fuel economy standards to 54.5 mpg by 2025, nearly double what it is today.
“This agreement on fuel standards represents the single most important step we have taken as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. By 2025 the average fuel economy of vehicles will almost double to 55 mpg. This is an incredible commitment that they (automakers) have made. They wouldn’t be doing it if they didn’t think it was good for business and good for America”, said President Obama.
In the past, the tougher fuel economy has been vigorously opposed by automakers, who said that people would not pay more the technology required to meet higher standards.
“These standards will help spur economic growth, protect the environment, and strengthen our national security by reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Working together, we are setting the stage for a new generation of clean vehicles.”
“This is another important step toward saving money for drivers, breaking our dependence on imported oil and cleaning up the air we breathe,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “American consumers are calling for cleaner cars that won’t pollute their air or break their budgets at the gas pump, and our innovative American automakers are responding with plans for some of the most fuel efficient vehicles in our history.”
Source: The White House via Autoblog
Image Credit: Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty
1 comment
That might just make electric cars more attractive, as the cost of making gasoline powered cars goes up – or less attractive, as the cost of running gasoline powered cars goes down.