Maps and Data - Vehicle Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Requirements by Year

Find maps and charts showing transportation data and trends related to alternative fuels and vehicles.

108 results

Vehicle Weight Classes and Categories

Charts illustrate the vehicle weight classes and categories used by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Last update June 2012

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Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled in the United States

Trend of vehicle miles traveled from 1970 to 2025

Last update February 2026

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Average Fuel Economy by Major Vehicle Category

Comparison of fuel economy among vehicle types

Last update May 2026

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Average Monthly Fluctuation in U.S. Vehicle Miles Traveled

U.S. vehicle miles traveled for each month of the year, averaged from 2010 to 2026

Last update May 2026

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Average Vehicle Trip Length by Purpose (2017)

Comparison of average vehicle trip length by purpose in the United States

Last update October 2022

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Means of Transportation to Work

Trend of how people commuted to work in the United States from 1980 to 2019

Last update June 2022

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Share of All U.S. Vehicle Trips by Length (miles)

Breakdown of trip lengths among all vehicle trips

Last update January 2026

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Biodiesel Laws and Incentives by State

Displays states and their respective law and incentive counts related to the use of biodiesel

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Electric Vehicle Laws and Incentives by State

Displays states and their respective law and incentive counts related to electric vehicles

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Ethanol Laws and Incentives by State

Displays states and their respective law and incentive counts related to the use of ethanol

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Fuel Taxes by Country

Comparison of gasoline and diesel taxes in eight nations from 2010-2023

Last update June 2026

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Hydrogen Laws and Incentives by State

Displays states and their respective law and incentive counts related to the use of hydrogen

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Incentive Additions by Policy Type

Trend of state law and incentive enactments listed by incentive type from 2002 to 2024

Last update February 2026

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Law and Incentive Additions by Fuel/Technology Type

Trend of state law and incentive enactments, listed by the targeted technology or fuel type, from 2002 to 2024

Last update February 2026

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Natural Gas Laws and Incentives by State

Displays states and their respective law and incentive counts related to the use of natural gas

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Propane Laws and Incentives by State

Displays states and their respective law and incentive counts related to the use of propane

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Renewable Diesel Laws and Incentives by State

Displays states and their respective law and incentive counts related to the use of renewable diesel

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Clean Cities and Communities Coalition Locations

Displays coalition locations and boundaries across the United States

Last update March 2026

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Clean Cities and Communities Project Awards and Matching Funds

Trend of competitive project awards and matching funds from 1998 to 2023

Last update January 2026

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Clean Cities and Communities Alternative Fuel Vehicle Inventory

Alternative fuel vehicle inventory reported by Clean Cities and Communities coalitions from 2004 to 2023

Last update January 2026

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Clean Cities and Communities Energy Use Impact by AFV Type

Trend of energy impact by fuels used in alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) from 2004 to 2023

Last update January 2026

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Clean Cities and Communities Annual Energy Use Impact

Trend of reduced fuel use and increased fuel diversity from 1994 to 2023

Last update January 2026

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Clean Cities and Communities Cumulative Energy Use Impact

Cumulative trend of reduced fuel use and increased fuel diversity from 1994 to 2023

Last update January 2026

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Clean Cities and Communities Energy Use Impact by AFV Type

Trend of energy impact by fuels used in alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) from 2004 to 2023

Last update January 2026

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Clean Cities and Communities Energy Use Impact by VMT Reduction and FE

Trend of energy impact by fuel economy (FE) improvements and reductions in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from 2004 to 2023

Last update January 2026

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Source: CAFE Standards 2011-2016: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NHTSA 2010 Final Rule
CAFE Standards 2017-2020: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NHTSA 2012 Final Rule
CAFE Standards 2021-2023: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NHTSA 2020 SAFE Vehicles Final Rule
CAFE Standards 2024-2026: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NHTSA 2022 Final Rule
CAFE Standards 2027-2031: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NHTSA 2024 Final Rule

Notes:

Regulatory Targets vs. Real-World: Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards represent estimated, fleet-wide regulatory targets required of automotive manufacturers. These values do not represent expected consumer window-sticker fuel economies, which adjust regulatory test results down to reflect actual driving conditions. NHTSA notes that real-world fuel economy is generally 20%-30% lower than the estimated required CAFE level stated above.

"Estimated Required" Methodology: For Model Years (MY) 2011 and beyond, CAFE standards shifted to a footprint-based curve, meaning the fleet-wide target depends on the specific mix of vehicle sizes sold. To maintain historical accuracy, the data plotted in this chart reflects the "Estimated Required" fleet average projected by NHTSA at the time of each Final Rule's publication, rather than the "Estimated Achieved" forecasting.

Vehicle Definitions: Passenger cars and light-duty trucks are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 49 Part 523. Modern footprint classifications use a vehicle's specific size (track width multiplied by wheelbase) to determine its unique CAFE requirement.

Historical Context & Adjustments:
• CAFE standards for light-duty trucks were not introduced until 1982.
• MY 2021–2023: Data reflects the finalized targets of the 2020 SAFE Vehicles Rule, which revised previous requirements and implemented a 1.5% annual increase in stringency.
• MY 2024–2026: Data reflects the finalized targets of the 2022 Rule, which superseded previous rulemaking and increased stringency by 8% annually for MY 2024–2025 and 10% for MY 2026.
• MY 2027–2031: Data reflects the finalized targets of the 2024 Rule. Requirements increase at a rate of 2% per year for passenger cars (MY 2027–2031) and 2% per year for light trucks (MY 2029–2031).

For more information on NHTSA CAFE requirements, visit nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations/corporate-average-fuel-economy.

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were put in place after the 1974 and 1980 oil price shocks. Cheap oil throughout the 1980s and 1990s reduced the pressure for CAFE to be used as a tool to reduce petroleum use. The oil price shock of 2008 renewed interest in CAFE, leading to regular updates through 2031. NHTSA developed the CAFE model to set requirements based on technological feasibility, economic practicability, the effect of other government motor vehicle standards on fuel economy, and the need for energy conservation. It is important to note that the CAFÉ model must be used to determine the requirements for an Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) vehicle fleet. The CAFE requirements used for this chart are the estimated averages of CAFE levels (in miles per gallon) required under the Final Rule.

To view more details, notes, additional sources and acronyms, please download the Excel spreadsheet.

Notes:

For more information on NHTSA CAFE requirements, visit nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations/corporate-average-fuel-economy.

To view more details, notes, additional sources and acronyms, please download the Excel spreadsheet.

	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030	2031	2032
Passenger Cars	18	19	20	22	24	26	27	27.5	26	26	26	26.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	27.5	30.4	33.3	34.2	34.9	36.2	37.8	39.6	41.1	42.5	44.2	43.7	43.7	43.7	49.2	53.4	59.4	60	61.2	62.5	63.7	65.1	66.4
Light-Duty Trucks					17.5	19	20	19.5	20	20.5	20.5	20.5	20	20.2	20.2	20.4	20.5	20.6	20.7	20.7	20.7	20.7	20.7	20.7	20.7	20.7	20.7	21	21.6	22.2	22.5	23.1	23.5	24.4	25.4	26	26.6	27.5	28.8	29.1	29.6	30	30.6	31.3	31.3	31.3	35.1	38.2	42.4	42.6	42.6	43.5	44.3	45.2	46.2

Maps and Data - Vehicle Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Requirements by Year

Vehicles: Vehicle Market

Vehicles: Driving Patterns

Laws & Incentives

Clean Cities and Communities

Clean Cities and Communities: Vehicles

Clean Cities and Communities: Energy Use Impact

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