US Gov. Wants To Boost Mandatory Fuel Milage For Light Trucks

WASHINGTON, Dec 12, 2002; Reuters reported that the Bush administration proposed on Thursday boosting fuel economy standards for increasingly popular light trucks by 1.5 miles per gallon for the 2005-07 models years.

Environmental and consumer groups criticized the government's target, saying it will provide negligible benefits to consumers.

Government sources said the average fuel standard for minivans, sport utility vehicles and pickups would rise from 20.7 mpg now to 22.2 mpg for the 2007 model year.

Model year 2005 vehicles will reach showrooms in the second half of 2004.

The current Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were first adopted by Congress for the industry in 1975 after the Arab oil embargo. The requirement for passenger cars is 27.5 mpg. That remains unchanged.