Atlanta – The Bush administration proposed new fuel economy standards for pickup trucks, minivans and some sport utility vehicles today, calling upon automakers to make modest improvements to gas mileage amid rising prices at the pump.
The plan, announced by the Department of Transportation in Atlanta, would require the auto industry to raise standards for most light trucks – which include pickup trucks, minivans and SUVs – beginning in 2008 and to be completed by 2011.
But the largest SUVs, such as the Hummer H2, and cars would not be affected by the plan.
“This is a plan that will save gas and result in less pain at the pump for motorists without sacrificing safety,” said Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta.
Mineta said the program is expected to save about 10 billion gallons of gasoline.
Automakers are currently required to maintain an average of 27.5 miles per gallon for passenger cars and 21.0 mpg for light trucks.
Light trucks are required to meet 22.2 mpg for the 2007 model year.
The proposal would change the method of calculating fuel economy compliance, dividing light trucks into 6 categories based on size, with the smallest vehicles being required to get better gas mileage than larger trucks.
The current system represents an average of manufacturers’ entire fleet of light trucks.
The proposal is expected to face close scrutiny from the auto industry and environmentalists.
With gas prices soaring this summer to an average of $2.55 a gallon nationally, the new requirements also expect to generate a debate on the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
