**GAO-07-921**                      Published: Aug 02, 2007. Publicly Released: Aug 02, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

 

Concerns over national security, environmental stresses, and high fuel prices have raised interest in reducing oil consumption. Through the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires cars and light trucks to meet certain fuel economy standards. As requested, GAO discusses (1) how CAFE standards are designed to reduce fuel consumption, (2) strengths and weaknesses of the CAFE program and NHTSA's capabilities, and (3) market-based policies that could complement or replace CAFE. To do this work, GAO reviewed recent studies and interviewed leading experts and agency officials.

 

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## Topics

Energy

Alternative fuelsEnergy consumptionEnergy costsEnvironmental lawEnvironmental monitoringFuel conservationFuel consumptionFuel researchFuel taxesMotor vehiclesProgram evaluationProgram managementStandardsProgram implementation