Government raises the bar

In the US, the White House and car manufacturers have agreed to raise the fuel economy standards for vehicles.

Fuel efficiency standards require mileage to average 54.5 miles per gallon for passenger cars and light trucks by 2025.

This is a significant step up from the 2016 level where cars and light trucks must average 31.4 miles per gallon or 250 grams per mile of carbon dioxide equivalent. This year, the fuel economy of all 2011 cars and trucks sold has to average out to 27.3 miles per gallon.

If the car makers have agreed, they must be pretty confident they can reach these new levels.