The Bush Administration is considering a proposal that would require sports utility vehicles to be more fuel-efficient, according to a report published Nov. 20. A proposal drafted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which annually establishes fuel-economy standards, suggests raising rates by a total of 1.5 miles a gallon by 2007, the Wall Street Journal reported. The plan was based on data compiled by Detroit's Big Three automakers, according to Bloomberg News. Automakers are required by law to have at least 18 months to make design changes if the agency proposes an increase in fuel-economy standards. The proposal is in line with the Bush Administration's goal of making the U.S. less oil-dependent on the Middle East. The last rate increases for trucks were between 1993 and 1996, when the government raised standards by from 20.4 miles per gallon to 20.7 miles per gallon.
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