G8 seeks oil savings, but no cut in US gasoline use

The Group of Eight (G8) rich nations said on Sunday they would take steps to reduce demand for transportation fuels, but the Bush administration came out a big winner as there was no call for big increases in the fuel efficiency of U.S. cars and trucks.

Meeting in St. Petersburg for their annual summit, the G8 leaders said in an energy communiqu
However, energy experts and environmentalists have argued the only way to have a real impact on reducing U.S. oil demand is to significantly raise fuel efficiency standards, because gasoline use accounts for about 40 percent of U.S. daily oil demand, which averages close to 21 million barrels a day.

“It’s very weak,” said Alice Slater, president of the GRACE Policy Institute who was at the G8 promoting alternative fuels, referring to the communiqu