By continual improvement and the introduction of new technologies, engineers are able to incrementally reduce fuel consumption in today's engines. There is a limit though, and every reduction in fuel usage takes a great deal of time and money to achieve.
The improvements lately have been impressive, but just won't be good enough, according to US Senate. In a shocking move yesterday, an amendment was adopted that will require cars and trucks to meet a combined fuel economy average of 35 MPG by the year 2020 -- a 40-percent increase from today.
The decision will likely send carmakers reeling, as they currently devote unprecedented amounts of resources, financial and otherwise, to making engines as fuel-efficient as possible. The industry had been fighting for a milder alternative, but one wasn't even put on the table.
"It is a very special day," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., in declaring victory. A longtime advocate of tougher standards, Feinstein has long called for closing what she calls the "SUV loophole," which allows many passenger-carrying vehicles to qualify for weaker truck standards.
A report suggests that the speed with which momentum grew against the industry was noteworthy, likely starting when the Democrats won control of Congress last year and made concerns about oil supply and global warming a top priority to be addressed.
But for the automakers, it gets even worse.
Would-be tax breaks and credits were blocked from owners of hybrid electric vehicles and producers of alternative fuels. GM, who has plans for a plug-in called the Volt, is likely very disappointed.
Talk about being kicked while you're down!
The improvements lately have been impressive, but just won't be good enough, according to US Senate. In a shocking move yesterday, an amendment was adopted that will require cars and trucks to meet a combined fuel economy average of 35 MPG by the year 2020 -- a 40-percent increase from today.
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The decision will likely send carmakers reeling, as they currently devote unprecedented amounts of resources, financial and otherwise, to making engines as fuel-efficient as possible. The industry had been fighting for a milder alternative, but one wasn't even put on the table.
"It is a very special day," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., in declaring victory. A longtime advocate of tougher standards, Feinstein has long called for closing what she calls the "SUV loophole," which allows many passenger-carrying vehicles to qualify for weaker truck standards.
A report suggests that the speed with which momentum grew against the industry was noteworthy, likely starting when the Democrats won control of Congress last year and made concerns about oil supply and global warming a top priority to be addressed.
But for the automakers, it gets even worse.
Would-be tax breaks and credits were blocked from owners of hybrid electric vehicles and producers of alternative fuels. GM, who has plans for a plug-in called the Volt, is likely very disappointed.
Talk about being kicked while you're down!