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Regulations and Standards
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On this page you will find links to regulations and standards related to fuel economy of motor vehicles.
Fuel Economy Test Methods
The city and highway miles per gallon estimates help consumers compare the fuel economy of different vehicles when shopping for new cars. Although no single test can ever account for the wide variety of conditions experienced by every driver, the test methods for the window sticker values were updated in 2011 to more accurately reflect today's driving conditions. These test methods will continue to be used to determine values for the new Fuel Economy and Environment Label.
Final Rule for Revisions to the Fuel Economy Label for 2013 Model Year (Published July 6, 2011)
EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are revising the fuel economy and environment labels that appear on new vehicles beginning with 2013 models. Automakers may also voluntarily adopt the new labels earlier for model year 2012 vehicles.
- Fact Sheet: New Fuel Economy and Environment Labels for a New Generation of Vehicles (PDF) ( 9 pp, 598K, EPA-420-F-11-017, May 2011) | en español
- Final Rule (PDF) (109 pp, 29.8MB, July 2011)
- Frequent Questions | en español
- Model Year 2013 Greenhouse Gas Ratings (PDF) (1 pp, 70K, EPA-420-B-12-014, March 2012)
- Response to Comments (PDF) (369 pp, 2.4MB, EPA-420-R-11-005, May 2011)
Related Actions
EPA Fuel Economy Regulations
EPA's regulations giving instructions on how to test vehicles, measure, calculate and report fuel economy information for CAFE, labeling and Gas Guzzler Tax determination are found in the Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 600 -- Fuel Economy of Motor Vehicles.
- Light-Duty Vehicle Emssions Standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
- Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requires vehicle manufacturers to comply with the gas mileage, or fuel economy, standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT). CAFE values are obtained using the city and highway fuel economy test results and a weighted average of vehicle sales. Tests are conducted in a laboratory by operating vehicles on a dynamometer. EPA administers the testing program that generates the fuel economy data. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of DOT, is authorized to assess penalties based on the information EPA supplies and to modify the standards.
- The Gas Guzzler Tax is imposed on manufacturers of new cars (not minivans, sport utility vehicles or pick-up trucks) that do not meet required fuel economy levels, to discourage the production and purchase of fuel-inefficient vehicles. The tax is collected by the Internal Revenue Service and paid by the manufacturer. The amount of the tax is displayed on the vehicle’s fuel economy label (the window sticker on new cars).