Bill Raising Fuel Economy Standards Hits Roadblock in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. --- An energy bill seeking to raise average fuel economy standards suffered a setback Friday, Dec. 7, when a Senate procedural vote on the bill failed 53-42.
WASHINGTON, D.C. --- An energy bill seeking to raise average fuel economy standards suffered a setback Friday, Dec. 7, when a Senate procedural vote on the legislation failed 53-42. The bill would raise the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) by 40 percent --- from the current 27 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for light trucks (including SUVs, pickups and vans) to 35 mpg for cars and light trucks by 2020. The fuel economy standard hasn't been raised since 1975. Sixty yes votes were needed for the bill to advance. But Republicans took issue with the bill's provisions calling for $21 billion in new taxes, CNN reported. The bill would repeal billions of tax subsidies, including $13 billion for the five largest oil companies in the U.S. The House passed the bill 235-181 on Thursday night, Dec. 6. The new snag in the Senate doesn't mean the legislation is dead. "It means we have to go to work to fix some of the problems that the House bill has generated for us," Sen. Pete Demenici of New Mexico told CNN. A new version of the bill is expected as early as tomorrow. The White House has threatened to veto the bill.
More Fuel

June Fuel Update: Prices Fall Below $4
Drivers are finally getting some relief at the pump. The national average gas price has dropped below $4 a gallon for the first time in months, with prices falling in 47 states as oil markets react to developments in U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Read More →
Study: How 2026's Gas Price Hikes Affect Different Vehicle Types
New data from iSeeCars reveals how rising fuel costs have affected different vehicle segments as gasoline prices climbed nearly 46% over the past four months.
Read More →Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?
Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.
Read More →
May Fuel Update: All Regions Experience Declines
Gas prices are finally easing in much of the country, but experts warn global tensions could quickly reverse the trend as the national average remains well above last month’s levels.
Read More →
April Fuel Update: Prices Climb Above $4 as Spring Surge Accelerates
National average jumps to $4.04 per gallon, up sharply from last year, with West Coast prices topping $5 and further increases expected amid rising oil tensions.
Read More →
Tips from Fleet Managers on Saving Fuel Costs
Fleet leaders share practical strategies to reduce fuel spend through smarter policy, routing, and driver guidance.
Read More →
March Fuel Update: Prices Settle With a $4 Average
Fuel prices significantly slowed this week, but a $4 national average is still expected.
Read More →Bob Adamsky on Fuel Volatility: “Don’t Panic — Have a Plan”
With oil prices rising again, AWP Safety’s fleet manager shares how to respond to rising fuel costs and how the right strategy can turn fuel spikes into cost-saving opportunities.
Read More →
Oil Market Turbulence Is Complicating Fleet Cost Planning
Rapid swings in crude oil prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East could create longer-term cost pressures for fleets, affecting fuel prices, supply chains, and vehicle strategy, says NTEA’s Andrew Wrobel.
Read More →
February Fuel Update: Prices Inch Higher for Third Week in a Row
The final February fuel update reveals prices continuing to inch higher for the third week in a row.
Read More →