The journey towards better fuel economy can be traced back to the 1950s when Arie Haagen-Smit discovered the relationship between automobile emissions and smog in Los Angeles. This led to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970 to regulate emissions and encourage improvements in engine designs and fuel quality.
The focus on fuel efficiency increased after the oil crisis of 1973 when the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries placed an embargo on the US. This crisis highlighted the importance of reducing our dependence on foreign oil and led to the introduction of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in 1975, with a goal of reaching 27.5 mpg by 1985.
While the CAFE standards and EPA regulations helped improve fuel efficiency throughout the 70s and 80s, the trend shifted towards larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles in the late 90s and early 2000s with the popularity of SUVs. In response, Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007, raising the target efficiency for new vehicles to 35 mpg by 2020.
Concerns about the environment and government incentives have encouraged consumers to transition to electric vehicles in recent years, leading to significant gains in fuel efficiency. Electric cars offer higher efficiency compared to gas-powered vehicles, making them an attractive option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on fuel costs.