Can Fuel Efficiency Standards Be Met Cost-Effectively? | Briefing | EESI

The briefing discusses the challenge of meeting 2025 fuel efficiency standards due to low gas prices and the popularity of SUVs and trucks. It proposes the adoption of high-octane, low-carbon fuels, such as E25, as a cost-effective compliance method that supports the increasing production of direct-injection, turbocharged engines while reducing greenhouse gas and toxic emissions.

• The automotive industry claims that meeting 2025 and long-term efficiency standards is impossible without program changes due to sustained low gas prices and the increased popularity of SUVs and trucks.
• There is a significant shift toward direct-injection, turbocharged engines in the U.S. light-duty vehicle market, growing from approximately 3 percent in 2009 to nearly 18 percent in 2014, with a projection to exceed 80 percent by 2025.
• High-octane, low-carbon fuels are identified as the lowest-cost compliance option for consumers and automakers, as they prevent engine knock and enable efficiency gains in modern engines.
• A specific fuel blend of 25 percent ethanol and 75 percent gasoline (E25) could improve fuel efficiency by 5 to 10 percent, reducing both consumer costs and tailpipe emissions.
• The U.S. transportation sector accounts for 27 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and 50 percent of all toxic emissions in the United States.

APA

McCormick, R., West, B., Drake, D., & Varcoe, A. (2017). Can Fuel Efficiency Standards Be Met Cost-Effectively? | Briefing | EESI. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/111317cafe

Chicago

McCormick, Robert, Brian West, Dean Drake, and Andrew Varcoe. Can Fuel Efficiency Standards Be Met Cost-Effectively? | Briefing | EESI. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2017. https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/111317cafe.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=McCormick |first1=Robert |last2=West |first2=Brian |last3=Drake |first3=Dean |last4=Varcoe |first4=Andrew |title=Can Fuel Efficiency Standards Be Met Cost-Effectively? | Briefing | EESI |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=13 November 2017 |url=https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/111317cafe |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mccormick2017can, author = {McCormick, Robert and West, Brian and Drake, Dean and Varcoe, Andrew}, title = {{Can Fuel Efficiency Standards Be Met Cost-Effectively? | Briefing | EESI}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2017}, month = nov, url = {https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/111317cafe}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }