The U.S. Senate passed legislation that would overhaul car fuel economy standards for the first time in more than two decades and quadruple use of alternative fuels.

The energy bill, approved 65 to 27 last night, would force automakers to build cars that average 35 miles a gallon by model year 2020, a 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency. The measure also responds to President George W. Bush’s call to boost the use of alternative fuels by requiring 36 billion gallons of ethanol and other so-called biofuels by 2022.

Passage is a setback for automakers, including General Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp., in their campaign to block or soften the mileage requirements. They will get another opportunity as companion legislation is considered in the House, where an opponent of higher mileage requirements, Representative John Dingell of Michigan, heads the energy committee.

(Bloomberg)