Appeals Court Rejects "Light Truck" Fuel Standards

Federal fuel economy standards for SUVs and light trucks were rejected by a federal appeals court yesterday, in a case in which a number of states, cities, and environmental groups challenged a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rule setting fuel economy standards. In its decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that in setting the standards, NHTSA failed to illustrate why light trucks were given more leniency than cars, and did not properly assess the economic effect of carbon emissions on climate change. The New York Times reports that the ruling "represents a major setback for both the auto industry and the White House at a time of growing public concern over the rising price of gasoline and the issue of climate change."

• Read the Ninth Circuit's Decision [PDF file]
• NY Times: Court Rejects Fuel Standards on Trucks
• State Vehicle Emissions Standards and Testing (FindLaw)
• Car Emissions Recalls (FindLaw)
• 2008 Fuel Economy Guide (EPA)