Which act, enacted in 1975, established minimum fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks?

• A. Energy Policy and Conservation Act
• B. National Energy Conservation Act
• C. Energy Independence Act
• D. Clean Air Act

Answer: (A)

Federal minimum fuel-economy standards for new cars and light trucks were established by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act in 1975. This act created the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, requiring automakers to improve the average fuel economy of their new-vehicle fleets. The standards are periodically updated and are implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, using EPA fuel-economy data to measure compliance. The goal was to reduce dependence on oil and boost energy efficiency in response to the 1970s energy crisis. The other options address different topics—emissions, broader energy policy, or energy conservation in other sectors—so they don’t establish the fleet-wide minimum mpg standards.