U.S proposes boosting annual average fuel economy by 5%

The Obama administration has proposed to boost average fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks in the United States to 56.2 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2025. Currently, passenger cars average 30.2 mpg and light trucks average 24.1 mpg.  This new  proposal would mean an annual fuel efficiency improvement of five percent, in am attempt to reduce U.S. oil consumption and carbon output significantly. The White House proposal could raise vehicle cost by about US$2,375, according to one estimate. U.S. automakers  meanwhile offered to raise fuel efficiency over the next eight years to between 42.6 and 46.7 mpg instead, the Washington Post reported.  This would mean an average annual increase  of between 2 and 3 percent. (June 26, 2011)