Miles and miles per gallon

The average fuel economy of most vehicles sold in the United States will be nearly 55 miles per gallon by 2025, thanks to a historic agreement recently made between President Obama and 13 major automakers, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency press release.

In late July, representatives from the Obama administration, the United Auto Workers and the state of California met with Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota and other major auto manufacturers to discuss the new 54.5 mpg fuel-efficiency standard for 2025 model-year cars and light-duty trucks. (For model years 2012 to 2016, the same vehicle types will have a fuel-efficiency standard of 35.5 mpg.)

Increased fuel efficiency of new vehicles is expected to save American families an average of $8,000 per vehicle between now and 2025, as well as reduce CO2 emissions and reliance upon foreign oil.