Fuel efficiency standards hiked for 2011

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has raised fuel efficiency standards for new cars and trucks in the 2011 model year, according to CNBC

New passenger cars will need to meet 30.2 mpg for the 2011 model year and pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles will need to reach 24.1 mpg.

The changes are slightly less stringent than those proposed by the Bush administration.

The fuel efficiency rules are the first step in meeting a 2007 energy law that will require car makers to meet at least 35 mpg by 2020, a 40 percent increase over the current standard of about 25 mpg.

MSNBC