DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Also fueling the energy debate, a new report today that says those gas-guzzling SUV's could get more miles to the gallon with a little ingenuity from auto makers in Detroit. CNN's Jeanne Meserve is in Washington with that side of the story -- Jeanne.</s>JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Donna, advocates for higher fuel economy standards say the technology exists right now to build a more fuel-efficient automobile, and the Center for Auto Safety and the Union of Concern Scientists say increasing miles per gallon requirement will save consumers money at the pump, protect the environment and create thousands of new jobs for Detroit.</s>DAVID FRIEDMAN, UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS: Within 10 years, we could be driving vehicles that reach an average of 40 miles per gallon. These are vehicles that look very similar to the cars and trucks that are on the road today and use a lot of the same technology. By 2020, we could push the fuel economy up to 55 miles per gallon; more that doubling what we have today.</s>MESERVE: Right now, federal law requires passenger cars to get an average of 26 1/2 miles to the gallon; light trucks must average 20.7. and while there is currently no legislation requiring auto makers to boost those amounts, the National Academy of Sciences is studying the issue. Their report is due next month. But don't expect any immediate changes, especially for gas- guzzling SUVs and light trucks. Auto makers have pledged to try to curb appetite of their vehicle fleets by 2005, but critics say that would barely slow gasoline consumption, and they say proposals to switch to diesel fuel might boost supplies and save money but at the expense of environment and our health. Lou, back to you.</s>LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Jeanne Meserve in Washington. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Group Says Technology Exists to Improve SUV Fuel Efficiency