US President Barack Obama will soon clamp down on those people who have been loosely generous with their automobile emissions and mileage standards. The rules will apply nationwide and will follow the standards being enacted in the state of California. Both the Bush government and the auto industry had rejected these stringent levels.

Emulating the toughness of the California standard, the new federal standard for fuel efficiency will be enforced starting 2012. For the first time, limits will be imposed on fossil fuel use of cars and trucks within the United States, with the objective of making these ‘40 percent cleaner and more fuel-efficient by 2016 than it is today, with an average of 35.5 miles per gallon.’

A huge challenge is facing the US auto industry, even so at a time when the major car companies have been put on government financial lifeline programs. The new federal rule to create a fleet standard of 35 miles to a gallon will drastically affect these companies’ product portfolio that will require a revamp in so short a time.

Soon, low-mileage units such as pickup trucks and large sedans will give way to smaller cars and engines. The time is getting closer towards the creation of a national mileage standard in the land of gas-guzzling vehicles.

Image

Via The New York Times/POPSCI.COM