Mandate flexible fuel vehicles by 2012

Legislation would mandate flex-fuel cars by 2013

Updated: Friday, December 18th, 2009 | By Catharine Richert

Among the many campaign promises Barack Obama made to improve the environment was this one: He said he would require that all new vehicles have flexible fuel capability by 2012, the last year of his first term.
 
It turns out Obama has made a bit of progress on his goal.
 
Before we delve into his pledge, here's some background on these automobiles. Flex-fuel vehicles are cars that can run on regular gasoline or a blend of up to 85 percent ethanol, commonly known as E-85. Corn producers and the ethanol industry say that requiring that all cars be made to run on both fuels will expand the market for ethanol dramatically.
 
Last August, Sens. Tom Harkin and Richard Lugar introduced bipartisan legislation that would advance Obama's goal. The Consumer Fuels and Vehicles Choice Act of 2009 would require 50 percent of all cars manufactured for sale in the United States be flex-fuel capable by 2011. By 2013, the mandate would apply to 90 percent of all automobiles manufactured for U.S. sale.
 
So far, the bill has only been introduced, and it has no other official sponsors other than Harkin and Lugar. Furthermore, the bill falls just a bit short of Obama's goal of making all cars flex-fuel ready by 2012. That said, Obama gave himself four years to fulfill his promise, so for now, we'll move this one to In the Works.

Sources: Growth Energy, Growth Energy Endorses Legislation to Promote Flex Fuel Vehicles and Blender Pumps , Aug. 7, 2009

Library of Congress, text of Consumer Fuels and Vehicle Choice Act of 2009 , accessed Dec. 17, 2009