Stricter CAFE rules issued by the Bush administration

According to an AP Report, the Bush administration has issued stricter rules in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy system (CAFE) for light trucks, SUVS and vans. For the first time the rules will also cover the largest SUVS, i.e. the Hummer and Chevrolet Suburban.

Light trucks have their average rise from 21.6 mpg for 2006 to 22.2 mpg for 2007. The fleetwide average will reach 24 mpg by 2011, when the largest SUVs will be included in the calculation. The largest SUVS range from 8,500 to 10,000 pounds and the rules will be applied in 2011.


New fuel economy rules issued to auto industry - Automotive - MSNBC.com

“The new standards represent the most ambitious fuel economy goals for light trucks ever developed in the program’s 27-year history,” said Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

“The fact that fuel prices have increased and more importantly, fuel price forecasts have increased since the proposal was developed suggests a stronger standard is warranted,” said Eric Haxthausen, an economist with Environmental Defense.