AASHTO Journal, 5 August 2011
President Barack Obama announced last Friday an agreement with a dozen major automakers to increase fuel economy to 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025.The president was joined at Friday’s announcement by GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, BMW, Volvo, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Jaguar — which together account for more than 90% of all vehicles sold in the United States — as well as the United Auto Workers and California.
“This agreement on fuel standards represents the most important step we’ve ever taken as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said, according to remarks released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Many of these companies were part of an agreement we reached two years ago to raise the fuel efficiency of their cars over the next five years. By 2025, the average fuel economy of their vehicles will nearly double.”
