Friday 27 June 2014

Stricter fuel efficiency rules ‘will drive down gas use’

More stringent fuel efficiency standards for vehicles will lower gas usage through 2040, according to the US Energy Agency Information (EIA).

It is expected to fall from 8.4 million barrels per day in 2013 to 6.4 million bpd in 2040.

The EIA said new light-duty vehicles made in 2025 will be required to average about 49 miles per gallon (mpg) in 2025 — up from the estimated 33 mpg in 2012.

Diesel fuel demand is likely to rise in contrast as the projected increase in miles travelled by heavy-duty vehicles will offset the gain from their improve fuel economy.

In 2011, President Barack Obama’s administration set the first fuel standards for trucks, which applied only to model years 2014 to 2018, expecting a 20% cut in their emissions by 2018. However earlier this year he said the administration will work on another round of stricter fuel economy fuels for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.