On Capitol Hill, Democratic lawmakers have reached a deal that would raise fuel-economy standards in cars. Automakers will have to raise fuel efficiency by 40 percent: thirty-five miles a gallon by the year 2020. The current average is 27.5 miles per gallon, the same it’s been since 1984. In a major concession to the auto industry, the target will be considered an average rather than as absolute requirement. That means light trucks, including SUVs, could have lower standards so long as the combined average meets the thirty-five miles per gallon target.