Toyota Early Backer Of Proposed CAFE Legislation

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Toyota Early Backer Of Proposed CAFE Legislation

by Karl Greenberg, Thursday, Dec 6, 2007 5:01 AM ET

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1975, Congress has agreed to a major change to corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) legislation. The new standard upon which both houses have agreed to is a 40% increase in new-vehicle fuel economy, to 35 miles per gallon for cars and trucks by 2020. The current standard is 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 for trucks.

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There was little immediate reaction from automakers, with only Toyota saying it supports the new rules. The Big Three have resisted revision of CAFE legislation in the past, saying that compelling conformity to the standard will force them to pass on costs.

Josephine S. Cooper, Group vice president/Toyota Motor North America, said in a statement that the company supports passage of the legislation by year's end. "Toyota applauds the congressional leadership for reaching agreement and taking this very important step toward establishing new, aggressive nationwide fuel economy standards."

The energy bill, of which the new CAFE standard is a part, establishes a plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle tax credit for individuals and encourages the domestic development and production of advanced technology vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

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