Environment & Climate Change

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President Barack Obama, center, is applauded in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, May 19, 2009, during an announcement on new fuel and emission standards for cars and trucks.

AP Photo

Analysis & Opinions - NPR

Obama's Fuel-Efficiency Plan? Not So Efficient

| May 20, 2009

"Because CAFE standards increase the price of new cars, the standards have the unintentional effect of keeping older — dirtier and less fuel-efficient — cars on the road longer. This is counterproductive.

Also, by decreasing the cost per mile of driving, CAFE standards — like any energy-efficiency technology standard — exhibit a rebound effect — namely, people have an incentive to drive more, not less, thereby lessening the anticipated reduction in gasoline usage."