The US government revealed on Friday (27th March) that it will be introducing a fuel-economy average of 27.3 miles per gallon for new vehicles from 2011 onwards.

Under new regulations announced by the transportation department in Washington, there will be an eight per cent increase from the 2010 target of 25.3 miles per gallon.

Cars will be required to average 30.2 miles per gallon - up from the current figure of 27.5 - while trucks will need to average 24.1 miles per gallon, up from 23.5 for 2010 models.

The new changes relate to legislation passed in December 2007 which stated that vehicles must meet a 35 miles per gallon standard by 2020, 40 per cent higher than the average in 2008.

Commenting on the news, David McCurdy, President of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, told Bloomberg that formulating a 2011 standard represents an "important first step".

"It is now important that the department of transportation provide automakers with the certainty and consistency needed [for beyond 2012]," he said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that the changes will cost manufacturers in the region of $1.46 billion (£1.12 billion) in fuel-saving technologies.

The 2007 law also issued a range of regulations relating to engine size, which could be particularly significant for the pgm industry, as smaller engines would mean lighter loadings in catalytic converters.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was quoted by Reuters as adding: "These standards are important steps in the nation's quest to achieve energy independence."

The move represents the first time mileage standards have been altered since the mid-1980s for cars, while also forming part of President Barack Obama's attempts to get tough on emissions standards.

Sources:

U.S. Raises Auto Fuel-Economy to 27.3 MPG for 2011 (Update2) (27/03/09)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awfOOZTKuuX4&refer=home

U.S. mileage standards for cars up for first time (28/03/09)
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE52Q3J820090328?sp=true