The White House's most significant achievement yet in addressing global warming

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By Juliet Eilperin

Washington Post Staff Writer

Consumers will pay more for cars upfront but may save money in the long term under new rules finalized Thursday by the Obama administration that will increase fuel efficiency and for the first time set greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks.

The new fuel efficiency standards, issued by the Transportation Department and the Environmental Protection Agency as the result of a May 2009 deal with the auto industry, represent a peaceful end to a contentious legal battle over how to regulate tailpipe emissions. At a time when it is unclear whether Congress will pass climate legislation this year, the new rules also mark the White House's most significant achievement yet in addressing global warming.

By model year 2016 vehicles must get an average of 35.5 miles per gallon. The requirements will add as much as $985 to a vehicle's initial cost, according to EPA estimates, but buyers will save about $4,000 on fuel over the life of the car, administration officials said.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson estimated that the tougher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of cars and trucks sold between the 2012-16 model years with those vehicles' improved efficiency.

"These historic new standards set ambitious but achievable fuel economy requirements for the automotive industry that will also encourage new and emerging technologies," LaHood said. "We will be helping American motorists save money at the pump while putting less pollution in the air."

Environmentalists hailed the move, saying it will transform the U.S. auto market.

The fuel economy standards move up goals set in a 2007 energy law, which mandated a 35 mpg average by 2020. Passenger cars and light trucks now are required to get an average of 27.5 mpg. As a result of the new rules, greenhouse gas emissions from cars should be reduced 21 percent by 2030.

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Consumers will pay more for cars upfront but may save money in the long term ...

...

The requirements will add as much as $985 to a vehicle's initial cost, according to EPA estimates, but buyers will save about $4,000 on fuel over the life of the car, administration officials said.

so which is it? will/may or will/will?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

so which is it? will/may or will/will?

Depends on how long you would hang on to the vehicle before trading it in or selling it.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Depends on how long you would hang on to the vehicle before trading it in or selling it.

If it depends, then it's may and not will. So why are "administration officials" saying will?

Edited April 2, 2010 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Only inside dense urban centers, never gonna happen for longish drives.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Only inside dense urban centers, never gonna happen for longish drives.

Since the regulations apply only to light trucks and passenger vehicles, that will be the future. Think of how much fuel, and infrastructure costs could be saved, if we just shift vehicle design from the 8ft max width to the 2m width the rest of the world uses. Of course, seeing the little clown dump trucks running around does give me the giggles every time I wander away from the US.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If it depends, then it's may and not will. So why are "administration officials" saying will?