Shaped Docuseries Episode 1: Regulations Controlling the Road: CAFE Standards & EV Mandates

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were enacted in the 1970s as a minimum threshold intended to improve fuel efficiency and reduce foreign oil dependence. As CAFE standards evolved, “footprint-based standards” were adopted, which allowed manufacturers to comply with standards in accordance with the footprint of their vehicles. How has the evolution of CAFE standards impacted the cars we drive and the potential for vehicle electrification? What impact has an emphasis on fuel efficiency had on vehicle and road safety?

In the first episode of The Regulatory Transparency Project’s new three-part series, “Shaped,” legal and industry experts discuss the relationship between safety and innovation, freedom and control, within the automobile industry.