Environmentalists say significantly raising federal fuel economy standards will benefit Michigan’s auto industry.
The Obama administration is considering more than doubling the current average fuel economy standardby 2025 to more than 50 miles per gallon.
Brad Van Guilder is with the Sierra Club. He says domestic automakers have made strides to improve hybrid and electric technology in recent years. Van Guilder says that should give them an advantage in producing more fuel efficient vehicles in the future.
“This gives a chance to the domestic auto industry to leap ahead into what’s really the next big thing," says Van Guilder.
The proposed new fuel economy standards will be the subject of a public hearing next week in Detroit.
