Surprise, surprise: The U.S. Department of Transportation decided yesterday not to increase fuel-efficiency requirements for sport utility vehicles and other light trucks for the model year 2004. The decision comes after the Senate voted last month against a sharp increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, instead directing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a DOT agency, to consider the effects of higher mileage standards on passenger safety and auto industry employment. NHTSA said it did not have enough time to adequately undertake those investigations before yesterday’s deadline, meaning that for the moment, fuel-efficiency standards for the gas-guzzling vehicles will remain at a mere 20.7 miles per gallon.
