SEEC Celebrates CAFE Standards Delivering Fuel Savings for American Households

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Matt Cartwright, Sean Casten, Chellie Pingree, and Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, released the following statement in response to the finalization of the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger vehicles model years 2027-2031 and light-duty trucks model years 2029-2031.  

“Today, NHTSA released final CAFE standards that are designed to deliver significant savings in fuel costs for American consumers, encourage a competitive American auto manufacturing industry, and promote healthy communities across the nation. By requiring automakers to adopt a range of proven fuel-saving technologies, these standards will ensure the average American passenger car gets 50.4 miles per gallon fuel efficiency by 2031, saving Americans hundreds of dollars in fuel costs and reducing harmful pollution for communities living near America’s roadways. These standards will save 70 billion gallons of fuel through 2050 and reduce our reliance on foreign fuel producers. This is a win-win-win for our nation, with $49 billion in net benefits flowing to all Americans.

“Transportation is an essential part of American daily life. By providing flexibility in achieving these fuel efficiency targets, American consumers will benefit from a wide range of choices for cheaper and cleaner cars in the future. Combined with the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments in clean transportation, these new CAFE standards are an important component of a whole-of-government commitment to long-lasting solutions for healthy and prosperous communities across America.”