The Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program, or CAFE, has proven to be an effective tool to decrease the consumption of fuel in the passenger fleet.  The National Academy of Sciences found in its 2002 CAFE study that the CAFE program has significantly contributed to increased fuel economy of the nation’s passenger fleet since its inception in 1975.  From the time CAFE was implemented until 1985, passenger cars achieved a 75 percent increase in fuel economy.  Light truck CAFE standards led to a fuel economy increase of 50 percent. 

The National Academy also found that improvements to vehicle design between  1975 and 1985 improved fuel economy by an average of 62 percent for all vehicles without loss of performance. 

 

            Despite past progress, a lack of will and years of inaction in improving CAFE has led to increased fuel consumption in the passenger fleet, thereby increasing the rate of global warming and making us more dependent on foreign oil.  Passenger car CAFE standards have remained stagnant for more than 20 years.

 

            The light truck standard was not improved by the Department of Transportation until 2003, and those efforts have been criticized as insufficient by many constituencies and Members of Congress.

 

            We cannot turn back the clock to reclaim lost opportunities, but we must take the necessary steps to reduce fuel consumption in the passenger fleet now.  Several Senators have introduced legislation to improve CAFE standards, including the Vice Chairman.  Several Members of this Committee have joined me in support of S. 357, the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act.         

 

            It is also encouraging that the President announced in his State of the Union Address that he would set a goal of improving fuel economy by four percent annually, the same percentage increase proposed by S. 357. 

 

            I look forward to today’s testimony, and the opportunity to work with Members of this Committee to move CAFE legislation to the floor and ultimately to the President’s desk.    

 

 

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