Fuel Efficiency
Vehicles in the United States are regulated under policies—such as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards—that require manufacturers to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. RFF researchers are analyzing the effectiveness of these policies compared to those that influence fuel prices.
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Workshop — Mar 15, 2024
2024 Transportation Engineering, Economics, and Policy Workshop
2024 Transportation Engineering, Economics, and Policy Workshop
On the Issues — Jul 7, 2023
On the Issues: Funding Clean Energy, Vehicle Fuel Standards, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: funding clean energy, vehicle fuel standards, and more.
Common Resources — Jul 5, 2023
New Proposed Emissions Standards for Passenger Vehicles: Who Benefits the Most?
Modeling efforts described in a new report show that the lowest-income consumers of new vehicles would benefit the most from new emissions standards for passenger vehicles, which have been proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Journal Article — Jan 6, 2023
How Much Do Consumers Value Fuel Economy and Performance? Evidence from Technology Adoption
This paper evaluates the welfare consequences of automakers forgoing performance increases to raise fuel economy.
Journal Article — Jan 6, 2023
How Much Do Consumers Value Fuel Economy and Performance? Evidence from Technology Adoption
This paper evaluates the welfare consequences of automakers forgoing performance increases to raise fuel economy.
Explainer — Dec 8, 2022
Gas Prices 102: Policy Solutions
This explainer describes the policy options available to decisionmakers to help households bear the cost of high gas prices.
Journal Article — Sep 21, 2022
Environmental Regulation and Product Attributes: The Case of European Passenger Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
This paper implements a novel strategy to estimate the causal welfare effects of energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions standards on product attributes.
Working Paper — Aug 25, 2021
How Much Do Consumers Value Fuel Cost Savings? Evidence from Passenger Vehicle Leasing
This paper finds that drivers undervalue lifetime fuel costs when deciding which new cars to buy or lease.
Workshop — Mar 15, 2024
2024 Transportation Engineering, Economics, and Policy Workshop
2024 Transportation Engineering, Economics, and Policy Workshop
Workshop — Dec 2, 2015
The Evolving US Vehicle Fleet: Responding to New Federal Regulations
Panelists analyzed consumer demand for fuel economy and how lower gasoline prices can affect future fuel savings.
Policy Leadership Series — Oct 15, 2015
Bob Nordhaus: US Climate Policy
Bob Nordhaus: US Climate Policy
Workshop — Nov 3, 2010
Evaluating Recent Changes to Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
Evaluating Recent Changes to Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
On the Issues — Jul 7, 2023
On the Issues: Funding Clean Energy, Vehicle Fuel Standards, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: funding clean energy, vehicle fuel standards, and more.
Common Resources — Jul 5, 2023
New Proposed Emissions Standards for Passenger Vehicles: Who Benefits the Most?
Modeling efforts described in a new report show that the lowest-income consumers of new vehicles would benefit the most from new emissions standards for passenger vehicles, which have been proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Common Resources — Sep 22, 2021
What Should Federal Agencies Assume for How Much Consumers Are Willing to Pay for Fuel Cost Savings?
Government agencies that assess the consequences of fuel economy standards assume that consumers value just the first 30 months of fuel cost savings. Should the agencies reconsider their assumptions?
Common Resources — Mar 31, 2020
The Proposed Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards Ignores Their Societal Benefits
Despite ongoing attempts to weaken the Obama-era guidelines, fuel economy standards have offered more benefits than costs to consumers.
Media Highlight — Apr 26, 2022
The Boston Globe: "High Prices at the Pump Hurt. Here's Why They Should Be Even Higher."
RFF research on federal fuel efficiency standards is cited in this op-ed.
Press Release — Aug 25, 2021
Car Consumers Undervalue Fuel Cost Savings, Valuing Present Costs Over Future Gains
Car Consumers Undervalue Fuel Cost Savings, Valuing Present Costs Over Future Gains
Media Highlight — Oct 30, 2020
Tighter Regulations for Car Makers Will Drive Buyers to Choose Electric
Tighter Regulations for Car Makers Will Drive Buyers to Choose Electric
Press Release — Sep 22, 2020
How to reinvent the wheel: Getting more out of EPA greenhouse gas standards
How to reinvent the wheel: Getting more out of EPA greenhouse gas standards