How Cost-Effective Technology Can Increase Vehicle Fuel Economy

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzes various technology studies to demonstrate that U.S. passenger vehicles can cost-effectively reach a fleet average of approximately 40 mpg by 2020 using conventional technology and over 50 mpg by 2030 with hybrid-electric technology. The report criticizes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) historical use of marginal cost-marginal benefit (MCMB) analysis, which often undervalues environmental and security benefits, and recommends a total cost-total benefit (TCTB) approach to set more aggressive standards.

• U.S. passenger vehicles could cost-effectively achieve a fleet average fuel economy of approximately 40 mpg by 2020 using conventional technology alone, and more than 50 mpg by 2030 when hybrid-electric technology is fully deployed.
• The Union of Concerned Scientists' total cost-total benefit (TCTB) analysis indicates that a fleet average fuel economy between 39 and 55 mpg is both achievable and cost-effective.
• The report argues that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has used a flawed marginal cost-marginal benefit (MCMB) analysis that produces conservative results and has previously valued reduced heat-trapping emissions at zero dollars.
• Implementing more aggressive fuel economy standards beyond the 35 mpg minimum could significantly increase oil savings and emissions reductions; for example, a 47 mpg standard by 2030 could save 445 billion gallons of fuel through 2030.
• The automotive industry has historically increased vehicle weight and horsepower rather than using engineering improvements to increase fuel economy; today's average vehicle is over 900 pounds heavier than it was 20 years ago.
• The report recommends that NHTSA treat the 35 mpg fleet average as a minimum for 2020 and target at least 50 mpg by 2030.
• U.S. passenger vehicles are a major source of global warming pollution, emitting more CO2 than the entire economies of all but two other countries as of 2004.
• The report identifies several cost-effective technology categories for improving fuel economy, including engine and drivetrain efficiency, reducing auxiliary loads, and reducing aerodynamic drag or rolling resistance.

APA

Kliesch, J. (2008). How Cost-Effective Technology Can Increase Vehicle Fuel Economy. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/ucs-setting-the-standard.pdf

Chicago

Kliesch, Jim. How Cost-Effective Technology Can Increase Vehicle Fuel Economy. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2008. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/ucs-setting-the-standard.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kliesch |first1=Jim |title=How Cost-Effective Technology Can Increase Vehicle Fuel Economy |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=September 2008 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/ucs-setting-the-standard.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kliesch2008how, author = {Kliesch, Jim}, title = {{How Cost-Effective Technology Can Increase Vehicle Fuel Economy}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2008}, month = sep, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/ucs-setting-the-standard.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }