LAST-PLACE FINISH

摘要

A world leader? When it comes to fuel-economy standards, the United States lags far behind Europe, Japan, and even China. The average fuel economy of new U.S. cars is 27.5 miles per gallon and 22.2 mpg for SUVs, minivans, and pickups ("light trucks"), figures that have been stagnant for two decades. Under a Bush administration rule announced in 2006-and rejected by a federal court last November-the fuel economy of light trucks would inch forward to about 24 mpg by 2011. That's not much to wave a checkered flag at: In 2006 new vehicles sold in Europe and Japan had achieved an estimated 40 mpg and will improve as goals are met for 2012 and 2015, respectively.