Transportation
A growing economy relies on an effective and efficient transportation system; however, issues related to pollution, congestion, and safety can dampen that growth. RFF experts are analyzing the costs, benefits, and distributional consequences of transportation policies to help lawmakers design programs that can effectively impact consumer and producer behaviors.
Fuel Economy Standards and New Vehicle Sales
Read about the relationship between regulations and sales.
Read more
Reviewing the Fuel Economy Standards Rollback
Find data and analysis on US fuel economy standards.
Read moreTopics
Alternative Fuels and Vehicles
Examining the relevant policies, regulations, and markets
CAFE Standards and Fuel Efficiency
Analyzing policies that reduce fuel demand and carbon emissions
Fuel Taxes
Analyzing how fuel taxes interact with existing fuel efficiency policies.
Traffic Congestion
Exploring policy options to reduce the inefficiencies of gridlock.
Featured Content
- All Content
- Publications
- Events
- News
- Resources Magazine
Press Release — Dec 31, 2019
New Episode of Resources Radio: "2019 Year in Review: Energy and Environmental Policy, with Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw"
Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw discuss the most significant developments in environmental and energy policy over the last year.
2019 Year in Review: Energy and Environmental Policy, with Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw
Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw discuss the most significant developments in environmental and energy policy over the last year.
Working Paper — Dec 18, 2019
Environmental Regulation and Product Attributes: The Case of European Passenger Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
The first retrospective analysis of European passenger vehicle standards for CO2 finds that, though the standards have substantially reduced fuel consumption and emissions, other changes undermine at least 25 percent of these benefits.
Working Paper — Dec 18, 2019
Environmental Regulation and Product Attributes: The Case of European Passenger Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
The first retrospective analysis of European passenger vehicle standards for CO2 finds that, though the standards have substantially reduced fuel consumption and emissions, other changes undermine at least 25 percent of these benefits.
Explainer — Dec 5, 2019
Electrification 101
An overview of how electrification can reduce emissions, from the feasibility of electrifying different technologies to the policy options for encouraging economy-wide electrification.
Working Paper — Nov 20, 2019
California’s Evolving Zero Emission Vehicle Program: Pulling New Technology into the Market
California’s Zero Emission Vehicle program was created to bring electric vehicles to the market. The program has succeeded in some ways and struggled in others, and new major changes to the requirements will require more cost-effective, consistent approaches than have been used in the past.
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 3, 2018
New Research Questions on Electricity, Transportation, and Carbon Markets: What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 2, 2015
The Evolving US Vehicle Fleet: Responding to New Federal Regulations
Panelists analyzed consumer demand for fuel economy and how lower gasoline prices can affect future fuel savings.
Policy Leadership Series — Oct 15, 2015
US Climate Policy: How We Got Here and What it Means for the Future
At this RFF Policy Leadership Forum, Bob Nordhaus, one of the most respected figures in US energy policy circles, discussed the evolution of US climate policy and its future prospects.
Press Release — Dec 31, 2019
New Episode of Resources Radio: "2019 Year in Review: Energy and Environmental Policy, with Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw"
Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw discuss the most significant developments in environmental and energy policy over the last year.
Press Release — Nov 26, 2019
New Episode of Resources Radio: “Waive Goodbye? The History and Future of the California Waiver, with Emily Wimberger”
Emily Wimberger provides an overview of the California waiver, and what it would mean for state and national environmental policy if it were revoked.
Press Release — Nov 20, 2019
New Working Paper Examines Evolution, Strengths, and Struggles of CA's Zero Emission Vehicle Program
A new working paper offers one of the first comprehensive reviews of California’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program.
2019 Year in Review: Energy and Environmental Policy, with Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw
Susan Tierney and Sarah Ladislaw discuss the most significant developments in environmental and energy policy over the last year.
The California ZEV Program: A Long and Bumpy Road, but Finally Some Success
A history of California's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program, in three separate phases of the program's evolution.
Waive Goodbye? The History and Future of the California Waiver, with Emily Wimberger
Emily Wimberger provides an overview of the California waiver―its history, why the Trump administration is moving to revoke it, and the broader impact it has on US environmental policy.