Federal Gov't Discussing New MPG Requirements

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Federal Government is looking at new standards that would significantly increase miles per gallon requirements for the auto makers.

The Obama administration is proposing new vehicle mileage and emission standards that would require new American cars and trucks to get an average of 56.2 mph, or double the current level, by the year 2025.

Michele Krebs of Edmunds.com said getting agreement from the car makers won't be that easy.

"We have anticipated for a long time that we're going to be paying more for cars. And that's a dilemma for auto makers because they may be able to build these, they may be expensive, but will consumers buy them? We certainly do not see that now in the economy," Krebs said.

The auto companies say it would cost them billions of dollars, that they don't have, to develop vehicles that would get that kind of gasoline mileage.