"The Obama administration announced strict new vehicle fuel-efficiency standards Tuesday, requiring that the U.S. auto fleet average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, an uncontroversial move that, unlike other administration energy policies, was endorsed by industry and environmentalists alike."
"The new rules, announced by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa P. Jackson, expand on existing standards requiring American-made cars and light trucks to average 34.5 mpg by 2016. They will significantly cut U.S. oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by the time they are fully implemented, according to the EPA.
'These fuel standards represent the single most important step we’ve ever taken to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,' President Obama said in a statement.
This second phase of standards, which apply to model years 2017 to 2025, will double the efficiency of the U.S. fleet compared with vehicles manufactured in 2008."
Juliet Eilperin reports for the Washington Post August 28, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"U.S. Announces Tough New 54.5-mpg CAFE Standard for Vehicle Fuel Economy" (Detroit Free Press)
"U.S. Sets Higher Fuel Efficiency Standards" (New York Times)
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