U.S. sets sights on auto fuel efficiency for 2017

[jpak]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J75120100521

President Barack Obama will announce on Friday a government push to boost auto fuel efficiency standards for model-year 2017 vehicles and beyond, government and industry officials said.

The effort, to be unveiled at the White House, also will include an order for environmental and transportation regulators to create the first-ever efficiency targets for medium and heavy duty trucks for model years 2014-18, the officials said.

In April, the administration completed new fuel regulations for passenger vehicles that will require a 30 percent decrease in carbon emissions and a 40 percent increase in auto fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon by 2016.

Automakers have sought assurances that the administration would seek to extend federal fuel and emissions standards for vehicles sold in the United States beyond the 2016 timeframe.

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