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Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
First enacted by Congress in 1975, the purpose of CAFE is to reduce energy consumption by increasing the fuel economy of cars and light trucks. NHTSA has recently set standards to increase CAFE levels rapidly over the next several years, which will improve our nation’s energy security and save consumers money at the pump. This site contains an immense amount of information about the CAFE program including a CAFE overview, rulemaking actions, fleet characteristics data, compliance activities, summaries of manufacturers’ fuel economy performances since 1978, and related studies.

LATEST NEWS:

August 28, 2012: NHTSA Issues Final Rule for CAFE Standards for Model Years 2017 and Beyond



DOT and EPA Establish CAFE and GHG Emissions Standards for Model Years 2017 and Beyond  

Following the direction set by President Obama on May 21, 2010, NHTSA and EPA have issued joint Final Rules for Corporate Average Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas emissions regulations for model years 2017 and beyond, that will help address our country's dependence on imported oil, save consumers money at the pump, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.

DOT and EPA Unveil New Fuel Economy Labels  

NHTSA and EPA have jointly issued a final rule establishing new requirements for a fuel economy and environment label that will be posted on the window sticker of all new automobiles sold in the U.S. The redesigned label provides expanded information to American consumers about new vehicle fuel economy and fuel consumption, greenhouse gas and smog-forming emissions, and projected fuel costs and savings, and also includes a smartphone interactive code that permits direct access to additional web resources. Click the link below for more information.

Download Crash Databases for Statistical Analysis of Relationships Between Vehicles' Fatality Risk, Mass and Footprint  

NHTSA plans to issue a technical report on relationships between fatality risk, mass, and footprint in model year 2000-2007 passenger cars, light trucks, and vans. The agency has made the crash databases used in its statistical analyses available to the public, enabling other researchers to analyze the same data.

NHTSA Workshop on Vehicle Mass-Size-Safety on Feb. 25  

NHTSA hosted a workshop on the effects of light-duty vehicle mass and size on vehicle safety on February 25, 2011. The purpose was to bring together experts in the field to discuss and try to reach consensus on some of the overarching questions that NHTSA must grapple with in our upcoming CAFE rulemaking.

New Fuel Efficiency Program Announced  

At the direction of President Obama on May 21, 2010, NHTSA and EPA are taking the next steps to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from mobile sources.

Joint Rulemaking to Establish CAFE and GHG Emissions Standards, MY 2012-2016  

There is a critically important need for our country to address global climate change and to reduce oil consumption. In this context, DOT and EPA worked in coordination to establish standards for CAFE and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) for Model Years 2012-2016.

Average Fuel Economy Standards, Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, MY 2011-2015  

Proposes substantial increases in CAFE standards for passenger cars and light trucks that would enhance energy security by improving fuel economy. Since carbon dioxide (CO2) is the natural by-product of the combustion of fuel, the increased standards would also address climate change by reducing tailpipe emissions of CO2. Those emissions represent 97 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. Implementation of the new standards would dramatically add to the billions of barrels of fuel already saved since the beginning of the CAFE program in 1975.

Average Fuel Economy Standards, Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, MY 2011  

NHTSA estimates that the MY 2011 standards will raise the industry-wide combined average to 27.3 mpg, save 887 million gallons of fuel over the lifetime of the MY 2011 cars and light trucks, and reduce CO2 emissions by 8.3 million metric tons during that period.

Light Truck Fuel Economy Standard Rulemaking, MY 2008-2011  

This final rule reforms the structure of the CAFE program for light trucks and establishes higher CAFE standards for model year (MY) 2008-2011 light trucks. Manufacturers may comply with CAFE standards established under the reformed structure (Reformed CAFE) or with standards established in the traditional way (Unreformed CAFE) during a transition period of MYs 2008-2010. In MY 2011, all manufacturers will be required to comply with a Reformed CAFE standard. Under Reformed CAFE, fuel economy standards are restructured so they are based on a measure of vehicle size called "footprint," the product of multiplying a vehicle's wheelbase by its track width. A target level of fuel economy is established for each increment in footprint. Smaller footprint light trucks have higher targets and larger ones, lower targets.

Requests for Product Plan Info  

NHTSA periodically requests future product plan information from auto manufacturers to help the agency in its CAFE rulemaking analyses.

Rules

 
FMVSS ascending Part ascending Details Actions
49 CFR Parts 523, 533 and 537 Light Truck Average Fuel Economy Standards, Model Years 2008-2011
This final rule reforms the structure of the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) program for light trucks and establishes higher CAFE standards for model year (MY) 2008-2011 light trucks. Reforming the CAFE program will enable it to achieve larger fuel savings, while enhancing safety and preventing adverse economic consequences.  

Final rule

Final Environmental Assessment

Final Regulatory Impact Analysis

49 CFR Parts 523, 531, 534, 536, 537 Average Fuel Economy Standards, Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, Model Years 2011-2015
Proposes substantial increases in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks that would enhance energy security by improving fuel economy. Since the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from the tailpipes of new motor vehicles is the natural by-product of the combustion of fuel, the increased standards would also address climate change by reducing tailpipe emissions of CO2. Those emissions represent 97 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. Implementation of the new standards would dramatically add to the billions of barrels of fuel already saved since the beginning of the CAFE program in 1975.  

Supplemental Scoping Notice

Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Appendix C

Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Appendix B

Request for Product Plan Information

Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Appendix A

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

49 CFR Part 533 Reforming the Automobile Fuel Economy Standards Program
This document seeks comment on various issues relating to the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) program. In particular, this document seeks comments relating to possible enhancements to the program that will assist in furthering fuel conservation while protecting motor vehicle safety and the economic vitality of the auto industry. The agency is particularly interested in improvements to the structure of the CAFE program authorized under current statutory authority. The focus of this document is to solicit comments on the structure of the CAFE program, not the stringency level for a future CAFE standard.  
49 CFR Part 538 Automobile Fuel Economy Manufacturing Incentives for Alternative Fueled Vehicles
This final rule extends the incentive created by the Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 (AMFA) to encourage the continued production of motor vehicles capable of operating on alternative fuels for four additional model years covering model years (MY) 2005 to MY 2008. Under the special procedures for calculating the fuel economy of those vehicles contained in AMFA, alternative and dual fueled vehicles are assigned a higher fuel economy value for CAFE purposes, which can result in manufacturers earning credits for their fleets. The final rule limits the maximum amount of credit that may be applied to any manufacturers' fleet to 0.9 mpg per fleet during MY 2005 - MY 2008.  
49 CFR Part 538 Under 49 CFR Part 538, Automotive Fuel Economy Manufacturing Incentives for Alternative Fuel Vehicles
To provide an incentive for the production of vehicles that can operate on certain alternative fuels as well as on regular petroleum fuels, Congress established a special procedure for calculating the fuel economy of those vehicles for determining compliance with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.  
Draft Environmental Assessment
The draft environmental assessment evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with NHTSA’s proposed action to set Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for model year 2008-2011 light trucks. This document describes the environment and resources that might be affected by the proposed light truck CAFE standards for model years 2008-2011, and assesses estimated impacts of alternative actions.  

Draft of the Evironmental Assessment proposed action to set CAFE standards for model year 2008-2011 light trucks

NHTSA: 49 CFR Parts 531, 533, and 537; EPA: 40 CFR Parts 86 and 600 Establish Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards and CAFE Standards
EPA and NHTSA are issuing this joint proposal to establish a National Program consisting of new standards for light-duty vehicles that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy. EPA is proposing greenhouse gas emissions standards under the Clean Air Act, and NHTSA is proposing Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended. These standards apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, covering model years 2012 through 2016, and represent a harmonized and consistent National Program. Under the National Program, automobile manufacturers would be able to build a single light-duty national fleet that satisfies all requirements under both programs while ensuring that consumers still have a full range of vehicle choices.  

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Notice of Intent

Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis

Draft Joint Technical Support Document

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Nissan North America, Inc. Petition for Exemption from Two-Fleet Rule Affecting Compliance with Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Standards
Nissan filed a petition requesting exemption from the two fleet rule for the 2006-2010 model years. The two fleet rule, which is contained in the CAFE statute, requires that a manufacturer divide its passenger automobiles into two fleets, a domestically-manufactured fleet and a non-domestically manufactured fleet, and ensure that each fleet separately meets the CAFE standards for passenger automobiles. The CAFE statute requires NHTSA to grant such a petition unless it finds that doing so would result in reduced employment in the U.S. related to motor vehicle manufacturing. NHTSA’s analysis does not support a finding that granting the petition would reduce automotive manufacturing employment in the United States. Accordingly, in this notice, NHTSA is granting Nissan’s petition.  
49 CFR Parts 523, 531, 533, 534, 536 and 537 Average Fuel Economy Standards, Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, Model Year 2011
NHTSA estimates that the MY 2011 standards will raise the industry-wide combined average to 27.3 mpg, save 887 million gallons of fuel over the lifetime of the MY 2011 cars and light trucks, and reduce CO2 emissions by 8.3 million metric tons during that period.  

Final Regulatory Impact Analysis

Final Rule, Record of Decision

49 CFR Part 533 Light Truck Average Fuel Economy Standards, Model Years 2005-2007
This final rule established the average fuel economy standards for light trucks that will be manufactured in the 2005-2007 model years (MYs). Chapter 329 of Title 49 of the United States Code requires the issuance of these standards. The standards for all light trucks manufactured by a manufacturer is set at 21.0 mpg for MY 2005, 21.6 mpg for MY 2006, and 22.2 mpg for MY 2007. This rule is effective May 5, 2003.  

Final Environmental Assessment

Final Economic Assessment

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