Global Warming Main Biggest Single Step Main Introduction Innovative Technology Can Help Free Us From Our Dangerous Oil Dependence We Can Safely Improve Our Fuel Economy Creating Clean Cars In America Creates Jobs At Home Take Action! Print the full report! (pdf file) Environmental news, green living tips, and ways to take action: Subscribe to the Sierra Club Insider!

We Can Safely Improve Our Fuel Economy Long-time safety advocates, such as the Center for Auto Safety, support increasing CAFE standards to 40 miles per gallon — and point out that we can do so safely. A joint study by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Center for Auto Safety found that raising the fuel economy of new cars and light trucks to 40 mpg would bene- fit "consumers, the economy and the environment without sacrificing passenger safety." In fact, the rate of traffic fatalities fell 50% during the same period fuel economy doubled due to CAFE standards. Auto manufacturers claim they can only achieve higher CAFE standards by changing their entire fleets to smaller cars. But they said the same thing in 1974 when a Ford spokesperson testified before Congress that a 27.5 mpg standard would result in a "Ford product line consisting of either all Pinto-sized vehicles or some mix of vehicles ranging from a sub-sub-compact to perhaps a Maverick." Obviously, they were wrong then — and they are wrong again today. Creating Clean Cars In America Creates Jobs At Home Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use