U.S. Senate Reaches Fuel Efficiency Compromise

[adplusone]

U.S. Senate Votes to Raise Fuel Economy to 35MPG by 2020, Increase E85 capability to half of fleet by 2015; "SUV Loophole Closed"

WASHINGTON (AP): The Senate voted today to increase fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon (6.7 litres per 100 km) for cars and SUVs, the first significant boost demanded of automakers in nearly 20 years.

"It closes the SUV loophole," declared Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, referring to current requirements that allow much less stringent fuel efficiency standards for SUVs and pickup trucks than for cars. "This is a victory for the American public."

The compromise removed a requirement that automakers would have had to meet an additional 4 percent increase per year for 10 years after 2020.

The measure tacked onto the energy bill would require a 35 mpg fleet average — including SUVs and pickup trucks — by 2020, and require that automakers make half of their vehicles capable of running on 85 percent ethanol fuel by 2015.

Democratic Rep. John Dingell a longtime protector of auto industry interests, said his House Energy and Commerce Committee will not address the matter until fall as part of global warming legislation.

The Associated Press
Published: June 21, 2007
Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/...ess-Energy.php

[2648562]

Hopefully by then GM and the rest will be able to far exceed it. I honestly wish it was higher and sooner--we've seen big increases in horsepower the last decade, but hardly any increases in fuel mileage and that angers me. Still, I realize a lot of US jobs could've been lost if the bill was tougher.

[Smellhound]

Originally Posted by adplusone

The measure tacked onto the energy bill would require a 35 mpg fleet average — including SUVs and pickup trucks — by 2020, and require that automakers make half of their vehicles capable of running on 85 percent ethanol fuel by 2015.

I don't like the Ethanol provision. There are two sides to the story, one is that Ethanol can be made from not only corn, but sugar, and other materials to make it more readily available, and it WILL make the U.S. much less dependant on foreign oil. The other side is that it is actually much more expensive than current oil based gasoline, only kept cheaper by current govt. subsidies, it is ratcheting up food prices...etc.

I would like to see the government ENCOURAGE ethanol production and other alternative fuels too...however to require half their vehicles run on it by 2015 might be risky...by then diesels or hybrids or plug in hybrids or fuel cells may advance enough that they might be a much better alternative than Ethanol. I'm not saying to abandon Ethanol...but don't make it a requirement..especially when GM is already getting there without the governements intervention.

If the government wants to set fuel economy standards fine. If they want to encourage ethanol use by subsidizing....they are already doing that. But don't choose a technology and MAKE automakers invest in it. Let the market determine the best technology.

[cadillacpimpin]

this whole thing bothers me. it seems like they r punishing the company for their model being the most popular model, in a segement of vehicles that the nation relies on. not eveyone needs an suv but some do.

[Beau]

Uhh a bit optimistic eh?

[macphisto]

How about we get rid of the EPA, get rid of gov't mileage standards, and just let the market handle it?

It still has to get through the House and John Dingell holds the keys to it even getting on the floor. A representative from Michigan is the one who will eventually decide if this even gets to the floor of the House and then there's the potential for veto. Long way to go before this becomes law.

[SRX7697]

Hey, government, why don't you stop wasting tax payer money and go after energy plants, coal plants, and other areas where we waste money and increase pollution. While you're at it, try helping the automakers. The days of SUVs are numbered.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

Senate reaches deal on auto mileage
Agreement would boost fuel economy to 35 miles per gallon





By William L. Watts, MarketWatch
Last Update: 7:00 PM ET Jun 21, 2007

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Senators on Thursday agreed to a compromise on fuel-efficiency standards that would require automobiles to average 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first major boost in mileage requirements in decades.

Under current corporate average fuel-economy regulations, or CAFE standards, each automaker's fleet must average 27.5 miles a gallon for cars and 22.5 miles a gallon for light trucks for model-year 2008.

The agreement preserves the bill's original call to increase CAFE standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. But it drops a requirement that automakers boost mileage an additional 4% a year after 2020.

Senators unveiled the bill in a Capitol Hill news conference Thursday afternoon. The amendment was then quickly added to the comprehensive energy bill under debate on the Senate floor without a roll call vote.

It marks a setback for Detroit's Big 3 automakers, which had backed a proposal by Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrats, which would have maintained lower standards for pickups and sport-utility vehicles.

"I was wanting to keep light trucks separate, but when we saw how this curve would work and talked to some of the experts on it, I think this is the best way to get where we want to go," said Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, who helped write the compromise.

Link to Article.

[camaro chris]

Dear Government,


Please let the free market do its job.


Sincerely,

Camaro Chris

[JohnPetrosky2k]

[quote=macphisto]How about we get rid of the EPA, get rid of gov't mileage standards, and just let the market handle it?quote]

I agree, if people want to buy cars that suck up gas and have ****ty mileage then let them... jesus

[xzen]

They shouldn't push the auto companies to make e-85 vehicles for half the fleet, they are pretty much capable at doing that anytime. The problem is that whats the point when there aren't e-85 fuel stations that are readily available. The government needs to push fuel stations to make it available. Thats all that is holding back the spreaded use of e-85.

[PontiacBixler]

All I see is a lot of lip flapping going on in Washington these days.

Come on people, the Senate has to vote on whether they are going to vote on something or not. And it usually is NOT! Go figure...

Hey Washington, here's a novel idea.... why don't you get the fuel prices lowered in the mean time???? Just talk to your buddies over at the Saudi embassy in Washington. You guys know where it is right? Ya know, the one that has a good chunk of our United States' Secret Service guarding it.

[GTOobsession]

[quote=JohnPetrosky2k]

Originally Posted by macphisto

How about we get rid of the EPA, get rid of gov't mileage standards, and just let the market handle it?quote]

I agree, if people want to buy cars that suck up gas and have ****ty mileage then let them... jesus

I completely agree with you. Gas prices are out of control but its surprising how many people still flock to SUV's and Trucks. IF you make 50-60K a year (like many working-middle class people do) then whats an extra 100 bucks a month for gas?

[Hunid Racks]

Tuned into C-Span the other night.

Happened to see Diane Fienstein flapping her lips and this is a near direct quote saying "everybody hates the United States". Truth is, we hate the idiots in office.

This "legislation" is a joke. Do they really think it will stick? Oh course it won't but the truth is they want a load of bull to throw out there.

Real leadership would offer solutions and hard choices, these idiots are just trying to get re-elected with sound bites.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

Hmm well lets see. GM is at about 30 MPG now.

Can anyone think of a way to increase their mileage by at least 20% on every single vehicle without costing the consumers or automakers a fortune?