U.S. Increases Auto Mileage Standard for First Time in 25 Years

The Obama administration has announced the first increase in mileage standards for cars and light trucks in 25 years, a 2-miles-per-gallon bump over the 2010 industry average that officials call a first step in meeting a federal initiative to cut back carbon emissions and reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign fuels. The fuel economy standard for light vehicles will increase to 27.3 miles per gallon, an 8 percent increase, in 2011. Meanwhile, new cars must meet a standard of 30.2 miles per gallon. Transportation officials say the tougher standard will save 887 million gallons of fuel and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 8.3 million metric tons. Congress has mandated that the U.S. meet a standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. But critics noted the new standard doesn’t even go as far as a 2008 measure floated by President Bush that was later scrapped because of the expected impacts on the auto industry.