Confirmed: U.S. considering 62 mpg CAFE target by 2025

[Deletedid1]

[img]http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/62-mpg.jpg[/img]


A CAFE standard of 62 miles per gallon by 2025 might indeed come to pass. The Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency today released a "Notice of Intent to Improve Fuel Economy and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2017-2025" (PDF) that includes, as one possibility, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by six percent a year for the years in question. A drop that steep would put us on track for 62 mpg, but the agencies are also looking at three, four and five percent decreases (where three percent equals a 47 mpg level by 2025).

Why does the administration think higher CAFE standards are important? Two reasons: the environment (of course) and the economy. The Notice of Intent says:
The automotive market is becoming increasingly global. The U.S. auto companies produce and sell automobiles around the world, and foreign auto companies produce and sell in the U.S. As a result, the industry has become increasingly competitive. Staying at the cutting edge of automotive technology, while maintaining profitability and consumer acceptance, has become increasingly important for the sustainability of auto companies. Trends in the world automotive market suggest that investments in improved fuel economy and advanced technology vehicles are a necessary component for maintaining competitiveness in coming years.
Nothing has been decided just yet, and we are not in a comment period. The 62 mpg level got a big pile of support from the governors of eight states – New York, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington – and other early voices are in favor of the go-big-or-go-home proposal. The governors write:
We urge you to set ambitious new standards for passenger vehicles. We have seen the automakers meet goals time and time again, and we are confident that technological improvements, including the plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles that they are rolling out, will increase efficiency and affordability further and will make 60 miles per gallon commonplace.
Some, though, are urging for a slow process. Dave McCurdy, president of the Auto Alliance, said in a statement that the automakers he represents want to work with the agencies on the new standard and that:
EPA and DOT should now engage a broad range of independent experts to undertake a thorough analysis and balance the technological opportunities to improve vehicle and fleet fuel economy with the economic challenges they present – for automakers and American consumers.
The government plans to issue its proposal next September and won't make a final rule until July 2012. You can read today's official government release here (PDF) and read related press releases after the jump. For more on the higher CAFE targets, read this.