President Bush Wants Authority Over CAFE Standards for Passenger Cars

Washington DC April 28, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that the Bush administration requested that Congress give it the authority to change fuel economy standards for passenger cars, reports The Associated Press.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta wrote to leaders of the House and Senate inquiring for Congress to allow creation of a fuel economy program similar to the one it recently completed for pickups, SUVs, and vans.

Mineta said in the letter the administration would "oppose any increase in passenger car CAFE standards without corresponding reform."

Under current law, the administration can change the system for light trucks, but it was unclear if they had the same authority for passenger cars. Mineta made a similar request in 2002, but it did not advance, according to AP.

Automakers are currently required to average 27.5 mpg for passenger cars. According to Transportation officials, the average fuel economy of passenger cars on the road today is 29.7 mpg.