WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today approved a bipartisan measure sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to increase fuel economy for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020.  This raises fuel economy standards for the first time since 1975.  The provision was included as part of H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 which passed the Senate by a vote of 86 to 8.  Senator Stevens was the first member of Congress this year to introduce legislation (S.183) to increase fuel economy for cars and light trucks and pushed the Senate to pass a bipartisan agreement in June as part of H.R. 6. 

“I became engaged in the CAFE debate because I believe the only way our nation will achieve energy independence is through a combination of initiatives,” said Senator Stevens.  “Conservation, domestic production, and the development of alternative sources of energy are all part of the broader solution. Increasing fuel economy standards is one avenue towards limiting our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Senator Stevens brokered this measure to raise fuel economy for cars and light trucks in H.R. 6, and includes the following requirements:

• requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), beginning in 2011, to annually increase the nationwide fleet fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks to achieve a fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.  For the years 2021-2030, car and light truck fuel economy standards will increase at the maximum feasible rate;

• requires NHTSA to establish a program for medium and heavy duty trucks to set fuel economy standards at the maximum feasible rate, and establish a separate fuel economy standard for work trucks to increase their fuel efficiency at the maximum feasible rate; and
  
• requires a reformed fuel economy program for cars and light trucks based upon attributes.

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