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Spheres of Influence
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Debate Percolates over CAFE Standards Charles W. Schmidt Abstract
image credit: PhotoDisc, Matt Ray/EHP In the 1970s, Americans sought fuel-efficient vehicles because of high gas prices ; today, efforts to raise fuel economy standards are based partly on desires to reduce U.S. dependence of foreign petroleum and to reduce emissions contributing to global warming. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program was established in 1975 to set U.S. mileage standards. In response to these standards, automakers have implemented fuel-saving changes such as front wheel drive, and available technologies can improve vehicle mileage without impacting vehicle weight. But as gas prices continue to fall, supporters of higher CAFE standards face an uphill battle against an unsympathetic administration and consumers who don't want to lose the advantages offered by gas-guzzling vehicles.
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