Feds raise fuel efficiency rules for light trucks - Ford Forums

Stacy94PGT · 04-02-2003, 00:11

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

By Jeff Plungis / Detroit News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators finalized the first increase in fuel economy regulations in nine years Tuesday, requiring automakers to increase the average fuel efficiency of light trucks by 1.5 miles per gallon by 2007.

The new regulation --first proposed in December -- will require light truck fleets to average 21.0 mpg in the 2005 model year, 21.6 mpg in 2006 and 22.2 mpg in 2007. Currently, light trucks must average 20.7 mpg.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the target will save 3.6 billion gallons of gasoline over the lifetime of the trucks sold during the three years. The regulation represents the biggest jump in fuel economy requirements in the last 20 years, said NHTSA administrator Dr. Jeffrey Runge.

"The Bush administration is committed to improving vehicle fuel economy while protecting passenger safety and American jobs," Runge said.

With sport utility vehicles and pickups increasingly popular but less fuel efficient than passenger cars, environmentalists sought tougher rules.

General Motors Corp., which sells more light trucks than any other automaker, strongly opposed the new rule and claimed it would cost $1.1 billion to implement.

NHTSA said the benefits to consumers would be greater than the cost burden the auto industry will face to meet the new rules.

Other automakers Tuesday pledged to comply with the regulation.

"We consider this to be a significant challenge, given the marketplace," said DaimlerChrysler spokesman Stuart Schorr.

"But we are committed to improving fuel economy and are determined to meet the targets."

The regulation is the first change in Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements since the 1996 model year, before Congress imposed a six-year freeze on the regulations.