National Center for Sustainable Transportation

Policy making in the United States regarding automotive fuel economy (miles per gallon) starts with federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. CAFE standards are enforced via a process that literally removes the driver from the vehicle; test vehicles are placed on achassis dynamometer and put through a precise, computer-regulated sequenceof speeds and distances. Results are communicated to new vehicle buyers via the Monroney sticker on every newpassenger car and light-duty truck sold inthe U.S. with this caveat: “Actual results may vary for many reasons, including driving conditions and how you drive and maintain your vehicle.”

Taking advantage of this variability to maximize on-road fuel economy is often referred to as “eco-driving.” Eco-drivingmay address other important policy goals, including reduced pollutant emissions, improved safety, and improved traffic flow. In this way, eco-driving is implicated in a far broader set of policies and therefore relevant to a wide array of policy makers.

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