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According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official, only 5 percent of vehicles sold last year met the government's 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards of 54.5 miles per gallon. That's compared to 7 percent meeting the 2020 regulations and 25 percent met the 2016 guidelines, which are set at 35.5 mpg.

(MLive.com File Photo)

DEARBORN, MI- Automakers have a long road ahead of them regarding the U.S. government’s 2025 fuel economy standards.

According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official, only 5 percent of vehicles sold last year met the government's 2017-2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards of 54.5 miles per gallon. That's compared to 7 percent meeting the 2020 regulations and 25 percent met the 2016 guidelines, which are set at 35.5 mpg.

"We're already seeing that there are manufacturers that are producing vehicles in significant numbers which meet the 2025 standards," said Michael Olechiw, EPA director of light-duty vehicle and small engine center, during a panel discussion Tuesday at the Automotive World Megatrends 2014 USA conference in Dearborn.

Olechiw said despite the levels sold last year, the EPA expects that with the implementation of technologies that automakers are on a "very good path” to meeting the regulations, which were proposed in July 2011 and finalized by the Obama administration in August 2012.

Olechiw said vehicles sold today that meet the 2025 standard are primarily electrified vehicles.

The standards are measured by the average fuel economy of vehicles sold by model-year for automakers.

If the mpg averages don’t increase, the final numbers can be altered during a mid-term review in 2017.

Christopher Nevers, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers director of climate and fuel economy, said the mid-term review was key to the numerous automakers agreeing to the standards.

“We need this midterm review,” he said during the panel. “It’s very important.”

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers represents 12 automakers, including the Detroit Three, in the U.S. Two of its members — Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG — did not support the new regulations.

The deal was less than what environmentalists and public health advocates wanted, but more than many automakers desired. Green groups, meanwhile, had pushed for a 62 miles-per-gallon target by 2025.

Opponents of the 2017-2025 model-year standards argued the goal was unrealistic and could boost the cost of vehicles by $2,100 or more.

Other members of the fuel economy and emissions reduction panel at conference included Kevin Green, chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration CAFE office; Walter McManus; McManus Analytics president & chief economist; and Ronald P. Krupitzer , Steel Market Development Institute vice president automotive market.

About 500 attendees, including more than 50 speakers, are expected to attend the Automotive World Megatrends USA 2014 conference. Main discussions at the annual conference – hosted by United Kingdom-based Automotive World -- include fuel economy, eMobility and connected vehicles.