Senate oks bill to cut vehicle fuel consumption

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate late on Thursday approved a broad energy bill that would increase the fuel efficiency of U.S. cars and trucks for the first time since 1975 and significantly boost production of renewable motor fuels like ethanol.

Senate Democrats dropped from the bill about $13 billion in taxes on big oil and gas companies to hopefully avoid a White House veto of the measure and appease Republicans who were ready to filibuster the legislation.

The modified bill was approved 86 to 8 and now goes to the full House of Representatives for a vote, expected next week, on the changes the Senate made to the legislation. If approved by the House, as is likely, the measure will then be sent to President George W. Bush to sign into law.

(Reporting by Tom Doggett)