Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Senators Reach Agreement on Fuel Economy Boosting Fleet Average to 35 mpg

WASHINGTON - The Senate voted to require average fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon for new cars, pickup trucks and SUVs by 2020, raising efficiency standards that have not changed significantly for nearly two decades.

by Staff
June 22, 2007
Senators Reach Agreement on Fuel Economy Boosting Fleet Average to 35 mpg

 

2 min to read


WASHINGTON - The Senate voted to require average fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon for new cars, pickup trucks and SUVs by 2020, raising efficiency standards that have not changed significantly for nearly two decades.

Ad Loading...

The fuel economy measure was added to a broad energy bill without a roll call vote even as senators were holding a news conference announcing the compromise.

Ad Loading...

The legislation for the first time would establish a single fuel economy standard applicable to not only cars, but also SUVs and pickups which currently have to meet less stringent requirement.

Automakers are currently required to meet an average of 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for SUVs and small trucks. The car standard has not changed since 1989, though the truck requirements have been increased slightly by the Bush administration.

The measure tacked onto the energy bill would require a 35 mpg fleet average — including SUVs and pickup trucks — by 2020, and require that automakers make half of their vehicles capable of running on 85 percent ethanol fuel by 2015.

The compromise removed a requirement that automakers would have had to meet an additional 4 percent increase per year for 10 years after 2020. The ethanol flex-fuel requirement also would have been three years longer.

Automakers had strongly opposed the 4 percent requirement, saying it was not achievable and would have required them to make vehicles with a fleet-wide average of 52 mpg by 2030.

Ad Loading...

Auto industry leaders came to Capitol Hill several weeks ago saying they could not meet the kind of fuel use increases being contemplated. Industry executives and car dealers visited Senate offices this week in last minute lobbying and urged senators to approve a less stringent measure

Topics:Operations

More Operations

A girl in a blue sweter reading a book with text to the left of her head
Operations•by News/Media Release•November 13, 2026

Fleetio, ASE Launch Scholarship Program for Automotive Technicians

The second annual program will award 15 scholarships totaling $35,000 to support ASE certification, testing fees, and equipment costs.

Read More →
Automotive Fleet graphic featuring the title “Reading the Global Signals: What AI and the Energy Transition Mean for Fleets Now” in bold white text against a dark navy-blue gradient background, with a thin cyan divider and the Automotive Fleet logo at the bottom.
Operations•November 11, 2026

Reading the Global Signals: What AI and the Energy Transition Mean for Fleets Now

How can fleet managers navigate a never-ending, changing industry landscape?

Read More →
Automotive Fleet News Recap thumbnail featuring a woman in a blue sleeveless top looking toward the headline, “90% Use Telematics. Are Fleets Getting Safer?” against a dark blue background with bold red accents.
Operations•by Faith Howell•November 6, 2026

90% Use Telematics. Are Fleets Getting Safer? | AF News Recap

This week, we're breaking down which industries have the highest rates, how Jamie McKay manages 2,400 vehicles, what's happening with the 2027 fleet awards, and why software-defined vehicles could introduce new costs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collage of FFC2026 roundtables
Operations•by Chris Brown•November 5, 2026

What's Best Handled by an FMC, and What's Better Done Directly?

Fleet managers continue to rely on FMCs for essential services but are taking a closer look at where working directly with suppliers can improve efficiency and responsiveness.

Read More →
Erin Gilchrist, inaugural Mike Antich Spirit of Fleet Award winner, featured in Automotive Fleet's Fleet Meets series, wearing a charcoal blazer against a white background.
Operations•by Faith Howell•November 5, 2026

Fleet Meets: Erin Gilchrist

Meet Erin Gilchrist, the inaugural Mike Antich Spirit of Fleet Award winner, as she shares insights on leadership, mentorship, the power of industry connections, and why people remain at the heart of fleet's future.

Read More →
Automotive Fleet video thumbnail featuring Jamie McKay alongside a male interviewer, with the headline “Jamie McKay Gives Fleet a Voice With Her Company’s Leadership” against a blue and black background.
Operations•by Chris Brown•November 4, 2026

How 2026 Fleet Visionary Jamie McKay Manages 2,400 Vehicles Across 37 States

How do you keep 2,400 vehicles running across 37 states? Fleet Visionary Award winner Jamie McKay shares how collaboration, flexibility, and a few simple strategies help her tackle fleet management challenges at Aptive Pest Control.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleet operating costs for 2026 over image of a service center
Operations•by Chris Brown•November 1, 2026

Managing Fleet Costs in an Era of Permanent Volatility

Fleet operating costs have risen more than 20% since 2020, raising a key question: When does extending a vehicle's service life stop making financial sense?

Read More →
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail
Operations•October 29, 2026

The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations

This opening keynote session at the Fleet Forward Conference highlights the future of autonomous driving for fleets.

Read More →
A picture of a transparent catalytic converter with blue text and the Automotive Fleet logo on the top.
Operations•October 29, 2026

How to Reduce the Total Cost of Risk From Catalytic Converter Theft

A stolen catalytic converter can cost fleets far more in downtime and lost productivity than in repairs. A total-cost-of-risk approach can help fleet managers quantify their exposure and prioritize theft prevention.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
AF news recap thumbnail
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 26, 2026

Personal-Use Charges Rise as Vehicle Values Fall | AF News Recap

Personal-use charges are climbing, wholesale used-vehicle values are declining, and commercial fleet sales growth is slowing. This week, we're breaking down the latest fleet data, plus how Element Fleet Management is helping Waymo prepare for its first Canadian robotaxi market.

Read More →