http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/articles/i/5343/?cid=3

US President Barack Obama last week officially signed off on "groundbreaking" standards that will take fuel efficiency to 54.5 mpg for cars and light trucks by 2025.

The move will nearly double the fuel efficiency of vehicles currently on the road, saving consumers more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs and reducing US oil consumption by 12 billion barrels.

The standards have been developed and issued jointly by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), building on the standards already set out for cars and light trucks for model years 2011-2016, which take fuel efficiency to an average 35.5 mpg.

"These fuel standards represent the single most important step we've ever taken to reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said President Obama. "This historic agreement builds on the progress we've already made to save families money at the pump and cut our oil consumption. By the middle of the next decade our cars will get nearly 55 miles per gallon, almost double what they get today."

The Administration says the new standards will drive innovation and investment in advanced vehicle technologies, bolstering the country's auto industry and supporting jobs.

"Automakers are [already] seeing their more fuel-efficient vehicles climb in sales, while families already saving money under the Administration's first fuel economy efforts will save even more in the future," added Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.