Better fuel efficiency is something most consumers are demanding from their automakers. Now the federal government is going to make it standard. By 2016, all new vehicles sold in the U.S. must average 35.5 miles per gallon, and by 2025, 54.5 mpg. Currently, the standard average rate is 29.7 mpg.
With the announcement Tuesday, Transportation secretary Ray Lahood said the change might boost the price of a new car by at least $1,800 dollars, but consumers would save $8,000 in gas over the life of the car. Some auto dealers say the sticker price will go up by over $3,000 thousand.
Dustin Peugeout with Liberty Ford says its all relative.
"The same vehicle today is going to cost more in 15 years because that's what the economy does, things get inflated and get more expensive."
He says the new standard won't be a far cry from new vehicles now, averaging in the 30 to 40 mile per gallon range.
"The great thing about a capitalist economy is that someone is always going to find a way to do it better for less money."
WKYC-TV