The US Senate approved on 22 June new energy legislation that will increase fuel-efficiency standards for new cars. The new standards require cars, light trucks and SUVs to reach 35 mpg (miles per gallon) or about 6.7 l/100km by 2020. Currently the average fuel economy of cars in the US is 25 mpg.

A proposal to raise the standard an additional 4 percent every year until 2030 was rejected.

With its 35 mpg by 2020, the US would still be far behind standards in other economic blocs. Standards stand at 40 miles per gallon in Europe, 46 miles per gallon in Japan and 37 miles per gallon in China from 2008.

The legislation will still have to pass at the House and President Bush can also veto it when it gets adopted.

More on this news:

• The Guardian: Oil Companies Spared Tax Hikes
• International Herald Tribune: U.S. Senate votes to raise mileage standards to 35 mpg for cars, SUVs
• WattHead blog: Senate Passes Energy Bill But End Product is Far From Comprehensive
• Le blog Auto: Le Sénat Américain adopte de nouveaux standards de CAFE

For a critical comment on the Senate’s decision, read Thomas L. Friedman’s “The Capitol Energy Crisis” (NY Times via the Greenpagan blog).

Author : Willy De Backer
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