U.S. Secretary Mineta Unveils Plan Requiring Better Gas Mileage from SUVs, Pickups and Mini-vans

August 23, 2005; A proposed new fuel economy plan for light trucks will save motorists money on fill-ups while improving safety and protecting the economy, Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced today in Atlanta and Los Angeles.

The plan to reform the government’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program for light trucks is expected to save 10 billion gallons of gasoline in the years to come, Mineta said. Mini-vans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles all are considered light trucks under the CAFE program, and make up half of the vehicles on U.S. roads today.

"This plan will save gas and result in less pain at the pump for motorists, without sacrificing safety," Secretary Mineta said.

According to the plan announced today, by 2011, all manufacturers will be required to produce more fuel-efficient light trucks, including those who currently build smaller vehicles, Mineta said.

"Our proposal asks automakers for the first time to focus their technology on increasing fuel efficiency across their entire fleets, rather than only in their least economical models", said National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Jeffrey Runge, M.D. "Under our proposal, every pickup, SUV and mini-van purchaser will benefit by buying vehicles that are as fuel-efficient as possible, regardless of who makes it or how big it is."

The proposal, according to Runge, provides manufacturers a transition period in the first three years, from 2008 through 2010, wherein they will be allowed to choose the old or new system. Both alternatives will result in major fuel savings over current levels, because either way, manufacturers must begin to build more fuel-efficient vehicles starting in 2008, he said.

When fully implemented in 2011, all new light trucks will be required to meet miles per gallon targets based on vehicle size, said Runge.

There will be six size categories, each with its own improved fuel economy target, according to Runge. The category targets will be used to determine a required average fuel economy level for each manufacturer according to the trucks it sells.

The proposed CAFE reform is designed to ensure vehicles are built with the best fuel efficient technologies, and that Americans continue to be offered a wide range of trucks to buy and use, Runge said. In addition, the CAFE program does not compromise highway safety by encouraging manufacturers to meet fuel efficiency standards by relying on large numbers of smaller, lighter vehicles, he added.

"This plan is good news for American consumers because it will ensure the vehicles they buy get more miles to the gallon, requiring fewer stops at the gas station, and ultimately saving them money at the pump," Secretary Mineta said.

NHTSA will take comments on the proposal for 90 days, with plans to issue the final rule by April 2006. The complete CAFE reform proposal can be seen at: www.nhtsa.gov, click on Laws/Regulations, then click on CAFE. You can also view them by clicking here.