Press Release of Senator Lugar Lugar Introduces Efficient Vehicle Leadership Act Friday, August 7, 2009 U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar yesterday introduced the Efficient Vehicle Leadership Act, S. 1620. Lugar joined Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), John Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) as original cosponsors of the legislation. The bill would encourage sustained innovation in fuel efficiency through increased competition.   The bill would also create a program that rewards consumers who buy cars and trucks that get better gas mileage than the average overall fuel economy required for its class. Motorists who buy models which exceed that CAFE standard would receive a “fuel performance rebate” (claimed on their tax return or paid instantly by the dealer, whichever the buyer prefers), an amount tied to the fuel savings over and above the relevant CAFE standard. The savings can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the vehicle’s fuel economy relative to other models of the same size. Conversely, for inefficient, gas-gulping vehicles, manufacturers will be assessed a fuel performance fee to pay for the program.   A copy of the bill is available at http://lugar.senate.gov/energy/legislation/pdf/1620.pdf. A summary of the bill is available at http://lugar.senate.gov/energy/legislation/pdf/1620Summary.pdf.   For more than a decade, Lugar has stressed the strategic importance of energy security and the economic and security risks of dependence on oil. His legislative efforts promote sustainable energy production and use, incentives for renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol and E85, increased fuel economy in cars and clean coal. The Lugar Energy Initiative at http://lugar.senate.gov/energy highlights the repercussions of America's dangerous dependence on imported oil and provides information on energy legislation introduced by Lugar, commentary by outside experts and information on alternative and renewable energy sources.    ###