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Regulations and Standards
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On this page you will find links to regulations and standards related to fuel economy of motor vehicles.
Fuel Economy Test Methods
The city and highway miles per gallon estimates help consumers compare the fuel economy of different vehicles when shopping for new cars. Although no single test can ever account for the wide variety of conditions experienced by every driver, the test methods for the window sticker values were updated in 2006 to more accurately reflect today's driving conditions. These test methods will continue to be used to determine values for the new Fuel Economy and Environment Label.
Direct Final Rule and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Technical Amendments and Corrections to Fuel Economy Regulations for Automobiles (published November 25, 2009)
- Direct Final Rule | PDF Version (19 pp, 134K)
- Proposed Rule | PDF Version (5 pp, 64K)
Final Rule for New Test Methods and Label Design for Fuel Economy Window Stickers (published December 27, 2006)
- Fact Sheet: Regulatory Announcement: EPA Finalizes New Test Methods and Label Design for Fuel Economy Window Stickers | PDF Version (5 pp, 190K, EPA420-F-06-069, December 2006)
- Preamble and Regulation (text only) | PDF Version (with equations and images) (99 pp, 7.2MB)
- Final Technical Support Document (PDF) (179 pp, 2.1MB, EPA420-R-06-017, December 2006)
- Response to Comments (PDF) (174 pp, 1.5MB, EPA420-R-06-016, December 2006)
- See the current fuel economy label that appears on window stickers.
Proposed Rule and Test Methods for Calculating the Fuel Economy Estimates that are Posted on the Window Stickers of New Cars and Trucks; Options for New Design of Fuel Economy Label (published February 1, 2006)
- Fact Sheet: Regulatory Announcement: EPA Proposes New Test Methods for Fuel Economy Window Stickers | PDF Version (4 pp, 158K, EPA420-F-06-009, January 2006)
- Preamble and Regulations (text only) | PDF Version (with equations and images) (89 pp, 31MB)
- Technical Support Documents (PDF) (178 pp, 1.6MB, EPA420-D-06-002, January 2006)
Related Actions
EPA Fuel Economy Regulations
EPA's regulations giving instructions on how to test vehicles, measure, calculate and report fuel economy information for CAFE, labeling and Gas Guzzler Tax determination are found in the Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 600 -- Fuel Economy of Motor Vehicles.
- Light-Duty Vehicle Emssions Standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
- Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requires vehicle manufacturers to comply with the gas mileage, or fuel economy, standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT). CAFE values are obtained using the city and highway fuel economy test results and a weighted average of vehicle sales. Tests are conducted in a laboratory by operating vehicles on a dynamometer. EPA administers the testing program that generates the fuel economy data. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of DOT, is authorized to assess penalties based on the information EPA supplies and to modify the standards.
- The Gas Guzzler Tax is imposed on manufacturers of new cars (not minivans, sport utility vehicles or pick-up trucks) that do not meet required fuel economy levels, to discourage the production and purchase of fuel-inefficient vehicles. The tax is collected by the Internal Revenue Service and paid by the manufacturer. The amount of the tax is displayed on the vehicle’s fuel economy label (the window sticker on new cars).
Bluewater Network Petition
In 2002, the environmental group, Bluewater Network petitioned EPA to revise its methods for calculating the fuel economy estimates posted on the window stickers and published in the annual Fuel Economy Guide. The following documents provide background:
- Letter from Bluewater Network to EPA and NHTSA (PDF) (6 pp, 54K) to amend fuel economy testing procedures and calculations.
- Federal Register Notice Requesting Public Comment on Petition to Amend Fuel Economy Testing and Calculation Procedures (PDF) (13 pp, 66K)