Review of Light -duty Vehicle Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards

The document contends that maintaining strong fuel economy and emissions standards for passenger vehicles is essential for protecting US consumers and the broader economy from volatile oil prices. It highlights a historical period between 1982 and 2006 where a lack of updated standards led to stagnating fuel economy and increased vulnerability to price shocks, contributing to the Great Recession. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that current standards will net the public over $400 billion by 2030 and increase GDP by $25–$30 billion, while creating 650,000 full-time jobs. Furthermore, it argues that these standards benefit automakers by providing a hedge against price fluctuations, warning that weakening them could cost the 'Detroit Three' over $1 billion if gas prices return to $4 per gallon.

• Failure to update fuel economy standards between 1982 and 2006 resulted in stagnating efficiency, with the average new passenger vehicle's real-world fuel economy decreasing from 22 to 21 miles per gallon.
• The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that fuel economy standards will provide the public with over $400 billion in net savings by 2030, which averages to nearly $2,800 per household.
• Vehicle efficiency standards are projected to increase the US GDP by $25–$30 billion and create 650,000 full-time jobs by 2030, with over 50,000 of those jobs in automotive manufacturing and assembly.
• Weakening the standards would leave the 'Detroit Three' (Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, and General Motors) vulnerable to oil price volatility, potentially costing them more than $1 billion if gasoline prices reach $4 per gallon.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2017). Review of Light -duty Vehicle Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/09/Standards-and-Cheap-Gas.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Review of Light -duty Vehicle Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards. 2017. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/09/Standards-and-Cheap-Gas.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Review of Light -duty Vehicle Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards |date=October 2017 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/09/Standards-and-Cheap-Gas.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2017review, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Review of Light -duty Vehicle Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2017}, month = oct, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2016/09/Standards-and-Cheap-Gas.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }