May 24th, 2010 by Ross Edwards
President Obama has ordered the government and automakers to work together to develop higher fuel economy standards for passenger cars and trucks that will go into effect in 2017. The new gas mileage requirements will be effective through 2025. Obama also decided that, for the first time, large trucks will have to meet fuel economy guidelines.
“It’s possible in the next 20 years for vehicles to use half the fuel and produce half the pollution that they do today,” the president said. “That’s only going to happen if we are willing to do what’s necessary.”
Obama signed a memorandum that forces the government to have a set of gas mileage rules for large trucks in place by July 30, 2011. A list of potential targets for automobiles will be released on Sept. 30, 2011.
Automakers are supportive of the plan for a long term fuel economy standard. A long range time line of fuel economy requirements will allow automakers to more easily meet the deadlines. The current set of fuel economy rules end in 2016, and require automakers to have an average fuel economy rating of 35.5 mpg for cars and light trucks. The 2011 requirement is 27.3 mpg.
Large trucks are currently not required to meet any fuel economy standards. Though they make up just 4 percent of vehicles on the road, large trucks account for 20 percent of the oil consumed on America’s roads, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
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