Federal regulators will propose benchmarks Tuesday for automakers to hit on their way to reaching a fuel-economy requirement of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Auto fleets will have to average 27.8 mpg by 2011 and 31.6 mpg by 2015 -- a more aggressive timetable than was required by Congress. That's 35.7 mpg for passenger cars in 2015 (new cars averaged 31.3 mpg last year) and 28.6 mpg for light trucks (new trucks averaged 23.1 mpg last year). The proposal manages to gain acceptance from both automakers and enviros. Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers spokesfolks said the numbers will "stretch the industry to innovate" and that "automakers are prepared to meet that challenge"; the Sierra Club's Dan Becker says, "I think you need to give the Bush administration credit. They got one right." The proposed standards are timed nicely to Earth Day, and come one day after the average price of gasoline in the U.S. topped $3.50 a gallon for the first time.
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Comments
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Green Granny Posted 7:25 am
22 Apr 2008
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Tasermons Partner Posted 9:19 am
22 Apr 2008
Funny how they fought so hard the first time it was proposed, but now with sales of SUVs and trucks plummetin' and gas goin' closer to $4 a gallon they decide to change their tune, ne?
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Matt Posted 10:04 pm
22 Apr 2008
I think the US automakers will aim for the new standards and the foreign ones will aim higher and the paradigm will remain the same as it is today.
Did anyone else interpret "automakers are prepared to meet that challenge" as "we can meet those standards right now, but we don't have to?"
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Pangolin Posted 3:05 am
23 Apr 2008
I don't see any hope of retreat from $4/gallon gas and there is going to be a lot more pain in the future. Just wander over to The Oil Drum and read for a bit. Whatever you do don't go looking at what J. H. Kunstler has to say. He thinks we're doomed.
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usandthem Posted 9:46 pm
23 Apr 2008
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pianoyoga Posted 11:42 pm
23 Apr 2008
I'd also favor widespread deployment of wind-powered long-distance electric rail.
Pretend for a moment that gas goes to $20/gallon, and that almost no one can afford to drive, so the streets are basically empty, and big chunks of unresurfaced asphalt are heaving up from deserted shopping plazas.
What will you do for fun now? How will you get around? What will you eat? What does a workable community look like?
This is a frightening prospect, but perhaps we're sick of being driven, and some creative, cooperative folks will get their time to shine.
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jewellia Posted 3:10 pm
03 May 2008
The change offered/stated/mandated is too slow! Where I live now, diesel is $4.55 a gallon and I'm betting it will be at $5 before Memorial Day. The fuel prices are increasing much to quickly for the legislation offered to consumers!!!!!
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