Big SUVs May Face Fuel Standards

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is looking at making larger sport utility vehicles, such as the Hummer H2, the Ford Excursion and the GMC Suburban, and large pickup trucks comply with federal fuel economy standards for the first time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also said Monday that it was seeking comments on whether to change the definitions of cars and light trucks.

Most SUVs now fall under the classification of light trucks, although they are used primarily as passenger vehicles. Heavier vehicles, such as the Hummer H2, weigh more than 8,500 pounds and are exempt from fuel standards.

“This marks the beginning of an important national dialogue,” said Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. “We can and must work together to save more fuel, increase passenger safety and protect American jobs.”

Deb Callahan, president of the League of Conservation Voters, an environmental group, said the Bush administration should simply treat SUVs and light trucks like cars and force all of them to get better gasoline mileage.

“If they really cared about raising fuel efficiency standards, let’s raise fuel efficiency standards and have SUVs and light trucks and automobiles all comply,” she said.

In April, the traffic safety agency announced a slight increase in the fuel economy standards for a manufacturer’s fleet of light trucks.

The new standards said 2007 model year trucks must average 22.2 miles per gallon, up from the current 20.7 mpg.

Because so many motorists are buying SUVs, the average fuel economy for all 2003 model vehicles on the road was 20.8 mpg, down 6% from the peak year of 1988, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Transportation Department spokesman Leonardo Alcivar said that even the environmentalists have to agree that the current standards are outdated. Automobile manufacturers are reviewing the proposal.

President Bush has opposed most efforts to improve fuel economy, saying they could cost U.S. jobs.