Court Squashes New SUV, Light Truck Fuel Standard
A federal appeals court has overthrown the National Transportation Safety Administration’s new fuel standards for some SUVs, minivans and light trucks.
The Ninth District Court of Appeals Thursday sided with California, 10 other states and environmental groups that the agency’s standards did not fully address the risk of carbon dioxide emissions from such Vehicles. Carbon dioxide, as a greenhouse gas, is widely considered to play a role in global warming.
The new standard, set to take effect with the 2011f model year, would require the fuel mileage of SUVS, minivans and Light Trucks to increase to 24.1 miles per gallon.
The court also ruled the new regulations don’t address why Light Trucks are allowed to pollute more than passenger cars. In addition, the court said heavier trucks used for commuting should also be subject to the new fuel standard.
Critics of the new standard maintain better fuel mileage can be achieved in large part with current technology. Defenders of the new fuel standard maintain manufacturers need lead time to implement changes.
