54.5 MPG Is Coming, But What Does It Mean?

Last Friday, the Obama administration announced that a deal had been reached on new Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for cars and light trucks between 2017 and 2025. It was a mixed bag, with both the federal government and the automakers compromising to achieve results each side could live with. Even California, who reserves the right to set their own fuel economy and emission standards, bought into the new fleet-wide requirement of 54.5 mpg by 2025. Read more

U.S. Fuel Economy Standard to be raised to 27.3 MPG for 2011

The Fuel-economy standards for all light vehicles will rise to the average fuel consumption limit of 27.3 mpg for 2011 model year vehicles. That is a rise of 8% from the current rule. This new rule was issued today and is based off of regulations using a new system that sets standards for individual models based on their size.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement, “These standards are important steps in the nation’s quest to achieve energy independence and bring more fuel-efficient vehicles to American families.”
This is the first fuel economy mandate set by the Obama administration. Overall, the new energy law will lift standards by about 40 percent by the year 2020 making ALL vehicles average 35 mpg or better.

Considering this, that should ultimately put more Americans to work to be innovative and produce vehicles that actually SAVE GAS! RIGHT???