President Barack Obama plans to announce new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks for the model years 2017 through 2025 at an event Friday in Washington. The administration has been in negotiations with automakers on boosting fuel economy. Officials familiar with the talks told The Associated Press this week that recent changes to the standards for light trucks have reduced the proposal to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The administration's initial target for cars and light trucks was 56.2 miles per gallon last month. White House press secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday that this new round of standards will save consumers money, reduce oil consumption, cut pollution and create jobs. In 2009, automakers agreed to raise fuel economy standards to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. |