Office of Public Affairs
DOT 36-09
Friday, March 27, 2009
Contact: Bill Adams
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
U.S. Department of Transportation Posts New Fuel Economy Standards for
Model Year 2011 Cars and Light Trucks
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced today that the
Department of Transportation has posted the new fuel economy standards for
cars and light trucks for the 2011 model year. Click here to view the
final rule for the 2011 model year.
On January 26, 2009, President Barack Obama directed the Department of
Transportation to review relevant legal, technological, and scientific
considerations associated with establishing more stringent fuel economy
standards, and to finalize the 2011 model year standard by the end of
March.
"These standards are important steps in the nation's quest to achieve
energy independence and bring more fuel efficient vehicles to American
families," said Secretary LaHood.
The new standards will raise the industry-wide combined average to 27.3
miles per gallon (a 2.0 mpg increase over the 2010 model year average), as
estimated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
It will save about 887 million gallons of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide
emissions by 8.3 million metric tons.
The 2011 standard will use an attribute-based system, which sets fuel
economy standards for individual vehicle models, based on size. Secretary
LaHood also noted today that work on the multi-year fuel economy plan for
model years after 2011 is already well underway.
The review will include an evaluation of fuel saving technologies, market
conditions and future product plans from the manufacturers. The effort
will be coordinated with interested stakeholders and other federal
agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency.
Click here to view full rule.