Report: Significant fuel savings possible for cars, light trucks but consumers must pay for it

Significant fuel savings possible for cars, SUVs

WASHINGTON — A prestigious research panel says a combination of already available technologies could significantly cut fuel consumption by cars and light trucks.

The National Research Council said in a report released Thursday that fuel consumption can be dramatically reduced — in some cases by nearly half — without sacrificing safety or performance.

But the technology comes at a price — anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per vehicle.

The report was immediately pounced on by offshore oil drilling critics as evidence there are options other than drilling to solve the nation’s energy woes.