The Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency last week issued a joint proposal to boost the average fuel economy for cars and light trucks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The new standards call for the auto industry's fleet of new vehicles to average 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, four years sooner than the date proposed by the Bush administration in 2007.

The administration estimated the requirements would cost up to $1,300 per new vehicle by 2016, but it would take just three years to pay off that investment and the standards would save more than $3,000 over the life of the vehicle through better gas mileage, the Associated Press reported.

The proposal is expected to increase vehicle fuel efficiency by about 5% annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 950 million metric tons, AP said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the EPA expect automobile manufacturers would meet these proposed standards by improving engine efficiency, transmissions and tires, as well as increasing the use of start-stop technology and improvements in air conditioning systems, the agencies said in a joint release.

The agencies will accept comments on the proposed rules for 60 days, but the final rules must be set by next March 30 to give automakers enough planning time, AP said.

By Light & Medium Truck