US imposes fuel efficiency guidelines

The Bush Administration has proposed new guidelines that accelerate the timeline for improving fuel efficiency in US vehicles.

Under the proposals the current average of 25 miles per gallon for cars and small trucks must reach 31.6 mpg by 2015 and 35 mpg by 2020. Manufacturers who flout the guidelines will face heavy fines.

Transport Secretary Mary Peters announced the plans last week, calling them ‘historically ambitious’.

It is first significant change to US fuel efficiency laws since 1975, when the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) was introduced.

Changes have not since been made for fear of upsetting car manufacturers, who are a major player in the US economy.

The plans are being broadly welcomed, as they will save money for drivers and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Even car manufacturers have lavished praise on the new guidelines.

However, some US states have been left frustrated as the legislation prevents them from implementing their own stricter rules for fuel economy.

California’s clean air programme - which included fuel efficiency standards - was recently overruled by the Bush administration.

The guidelines are also being challenged in court by the Democrats, who would like to see much stricter regulation of the motor industry.