Congress ready to mandate more efficient cars?

After days of tough negotiations, congressional leaders late Friday finally announced a deal in the House on legislation that would force American automakers to improve the fuel efficiency of their cars and light trucks by 40 percent by 2020.      

"The proposal, which would require automakers to achieve 35 miles per gallon on average, is similar to a measure that was passed in the summer by the Senate but was bitterly opposed by the auto companies, who argued they did not have the technology or the financial resources to reach that goal," the New York Times is reporting today.

The debate over the fuel standards has dragged on all session, but House leaders want to bring the bill up for a vote next week when members return from recess, the Washington Post reports. There are some added pressures as well -- as the Post noted, "with oil prices at more than $90 a barrel, many lawmakers feel compelled to take some sort of action on energy."

If the bill passes, the Times reports, it will result in the most sweeping changes to the auto industry in more than 20 years: "Automakers now have to achieve 27.5 miles per gallon on cars, a figure that has not changed since 1984, and 22.2 miles per gallon for light trucks, including minivans, sport utility vehicles and pickups. Under the compromise, the companies will retain the distinction between the classes of vehicles, but must still meet a combined 35 m.p.g. fleetwide standard."

To read the full story in the Times, click here. To read the story in the Post, which was apparently filed before the deal was complete, click here.

--Craig Pittman