A bill to conserve gasoline by directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish and enforce mandatory fuel economy performance standards for new automobiles and light-duty trucks, to establish a research and development program leading to advanced automobile prototypes.

Summary

Title I: Automobile Fuel Economy - Automobile Fuel Economy Act- Adds a new title to the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act. Declares it to be the purpose of this title to: (1) assure, to the maximum extent practicable, that manufacturers of automobiles and light duty trucks reduce the amount of fuel consumed by new automobiles and light duty trucks per mile traveled without reducing standards for safety, damageability, or environmental quality; and (2) increase the industrywide average fuel economy for new automobiles. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish yearly minimum national fuel economy standards, applicable to each manufacturer's average production of new automobiles or new light duty trucks, as appropriate. States that the standards would apply to model years 1977 through 1985. Requires such standards for automobiles to achieve at least a 50 percent improvement in the industrywide new car fuel economy average by model year 1980 relative to 1974 models, and at least a 100 percent improvement by model year 1985. Authorizes the Secretary to modify such goals if he finds that they cannot reasonably be attained. Provides that such modified goals would take effect 60 days after notification of the Congress, subject only to a resolution of disapproval by either House. Exempts light duty trucks from the 50 and 100 percent improvement goals, but provides that they would be subject to minimum average fuel economy performance standards set for each model year at the maximum feasible level by the Secretary. Requires each manufacturer and importer to produce automobiles or light duty trucks, as appropriate, which on the average conform to or exceed the applicable fuel economy standard specified for each model year. Provides that each individual automobile or light duty truck would not be required to meet the standards, only the average of all automobiles, or light duty trucks, as appropriate, produced by the manfacturer. Provides that if a manufacturer fails to meet the required average fuel economy standard, the manufacturer is liable for civil penalties of from $50 to $100 per automobile or light duty truck, as appropriate, for each mile per gallon, or fraction thereof, by which the average fuel economy of automobiles or light duty trucks manufactured or imported falls short of the applicable standard. Requires each manufacturer to affix in a prominent place on each new automobile or new light duty truck, as appropriate, a sticker indicating the fuel economy which a purchaser can expect from such automobile or light duty truck, and the estimated average annual fuel costs associated with the operation of such vehicle. Requires such information to also appear in advertisements in a manner directed by the Federal Trade Commission. Prohibits States and political subdivisions from adopting standards for fuel economy or fuel economy labeling and advertising which are inconsistent with this Act. Directs the Secretary to prepare a report on the 55 mph speed limit now in effect and to include in such report an examination of the extent of compliance, potential gasoline savings, and the feasibility of requiring the installation of speed-limiting devices on all new automobiles, new light duty trucks, and other new motor vehicles. Requires the Secretary to report within 180 days on the feasibility of a requirement that each new automobile and light duty truck be equipped with a fuel flow instrument reading directly in miles per gallon to make it possible for the cost-conscious motorist to modify his or her driving patterns to get better fuel economy. Title II: Research and Development - Automotive Transport Research and Development Act - Adds a new title to the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Transportation to make contracts and grants and support through obligation guarantees, research and development leading to production prototypes of advanced automobiles within 4 years from the date of enactment of this title, or within the shortest practicable time consistent with appropriate research and development techniques. Requires the Secretary to preserve, enhance, and facilitate competition in research, development, and production of existing and alternative automobiles and automobile components. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of this title, funds not to exceed $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, not to exceed $20,000,000 for the transitional quarter ending September 30, 1976, and not to exceed $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1977.

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Documents

2 official files

• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 15 July 1975

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 5 June 1975

  Open at official source

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