Obama Hikes Fuel Efficiency for New Cars

Topics:  President Barack Obama

VOA Breaking News
August 28, 2012 at 6:45 pm (UTC-4)

The White House has finalized plans to nearly double fuel efficiency for cars and small trucks by 2025.

Under the new standards announced Tuesday, U.S.-built vehicles will get at least 88 kilometers for every 4 liters of gasoline. The new rules will cover cars and light trucks built between 2017 and 2025.

President Barack Obama calls the new numbers the single most important step ever taken to reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign oil. He says the new fuel efficiency should save American drivers close to $2 trillion at the gas pump and cut U.S. oil consumption by 12 billion barrels.

The three major U.S. carmakers — General Motors, Ford and Chrysler — along with such major foreign companies as Honda, Kia and Volvo support the new standards.

But some Republicans oppose them, saying they would force the carmakers to increase the price of a new vehicle, making them unfavorable to many middle class customers.