New Fuel Economy Standards for 2011

The US administration has announced updated automobile fuel economy standards for new vehicles starting with 2011 models. The goal is to reduce gasoline emissions and consumption.

Cars and light trucks will need to meet a U.S. fuel economy average of 27.3 miles per gallon for 2011 models, a 2 mpg increase from the previous year's requirements. The change isn't as aggressive as the 27.8 mpg target that President Bush had proposed in 2008.

New car fuel economy already averaged 31.3 mpg by 2007, according to the NHTSA. The Environmental Protection Agency is considering a waiver that would allow California and other states to set their own auto emissions rules.

The change will cost auto manufacturers approximately $1.46 billion in fuel saving technologies. It will also save approximately 887 million gallons of fuel over the life of 2011 models and cut carbon emissions by approximately 8.3 million tons.

Perhaps these new standards will give a new popularity to the small cars and hybrid cars that haven't been doing very well in the market lately.