New US vehicle fuel standards to cut oil imports

* New standards save 1.8 bln barrels oil over two decades

* Half to come from less imports, half from US refining

By Tom Doggett

WASHINGTON, April 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. government's higher fuel economy requirements for new vehicles are expected to reduce gasoline consumption and cut fuel imports, the government said on Thursday.

The vehicle fuel efficiency standards will be phased in starting with the 2012 model year, raising vehicle fuel economy to an ...