Feds to require higher car fuel efficiency standards

[Bruce Nunnally]

[article]

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Transportation Department will unveil the first increase in passenger car fuel efficiency requirements in 25 years -- the first step in what will be sweeping reform for the nation's car and truck fleets.

The administration on Friday will unveil its 2011 model year standards, which average 27.3 miles per gallon -- 8 percent above the 2010 model year requirement of 25.3 mpg, an administration official confirmed Thursday night.

Passenger cars will have to average 30.2 mpg and light trucks 24.1 mpg for 2011 model year vehicles, which hit the market in September 2010. The rule will save an estimated 887 million gallons of fuel and eliminate 8.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Obama administration opted to finalize only the 2011 model year standards, in part because it was required to finalize the 2011 regulation by March 31 under a 2007 energy law. It will spend the next year reviewing the 2012-2015 requirements as it seeks a comprehensive emissions policy.