By AP
WASHINGTON –
The Obama administration is close to saying what sort of gas mileage it envisions for cars of the future.
Environmentalists are pushing for an average of at least 60 miles per gallon for new vehicles by 2025, exceeding the mileage of the most fuel-efficient hybrids on the road today.
But automakers argue that pushing gas mileage standards up that quickly could force them to raise prices higher than drivers can afford.
The administration is expected to give its view Friday in the form of early planning for mileage standards for the 2017 through 2025 model years. Rules already in place will boost the fleet average to 35.5 mpg by 2016, an increase of more than 40% over current requirements.