Push for new fuel economy standards on fast track
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The Detroit News
reports the House Energy and Commerce Committee is looking in to new federal fuel economy standards this week for
passenger cars. The bill would use the same language as the light truck regulations, allowing for annual fuel economy
increases. The current Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard for passenger cars is at 27.5 mpg, while the industry is
averaging 29 mpg. While the bill itself might be on the fast track, don’t expect changes in passenger car fuel
economy anytime soon, the bill includes an 18 month lead time, meaning no changes are to happen until at least the 2009
model year. It seems automakers are offering some support to the proposed legislation. A stronger bill, which would
require automobiles manufactured by 2015 to have a fuel economy of at least 33 mpg is being opposed by automakers.
Michigan legislators are hesitant in their support, clearly fearing these rules might affect their local economies.[Source: The Detroit News]
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