Fuel-Consumption Limits
In the USA, within the scope of measures implemented for the energy budget, a limitation of the fuel consumption is prescribed by law starting with the model year 1978. The regulations limit the average consumption of a particular model year from a specific manufacturer. The figure above shows the threshold values for years 1980 to 1990. A tightening of the threshold values for fuel consumption is not planned for future legislation. Within the scope of a "credit program", automobile manufacturers are also allowed to exceed the existing consumption limits, provided it is compensated by the introduction of "more economical" and "cleaner" vehicles, driven with alternative fuels.