SHOULD CONGRESS INCLUDE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER MILEAGE STANDARDS FOR AUTOMAKERS IN ITS OMNIBUS ENERGY BILL?
July 13, 2007 The OPEC oil embargo of 1973-74 inspired Congress to promulgate Corporate Average Fuel Economy, CAFE, standards for passenger cars and light trucks. This marked the end of a carefree era when eight-cylinder, twin-fin sedans plied America’s roadways. Fuel economy standards grew stricter during the 1970s and part way through the 1980s. But gas prices drifted downward in the 1990s, and lawmakers lost interest in fuel economy. CAFE standards stalled out at 27.5 mpg for cars and 20.7 mpg for light trucks and haven’t budged for 20 years. It’s time for stricter standards and for reasons more urgent than in the 1970s. More is at stake than pain at the gas pump and the damage inflicted on America’s economy by high oil prices. Worldwide, cars and trucks generate about 25 percent of all global warming pollution. Higher CAFE standards mean less gas consumed per mile driven, and hence less emitted carbon dioxide. What’s more, on a cost basis, high fuel economy cars and trucks easily b
