Washington, DC—Today, Climate Mayors Executive Director Kate Wright issued the following statement in response to the rollback of the Biden-era Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards announced today by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Fuel economy standards have played a vital role in reducing costs for families, improving air quality, and making cleaner, more efficient vehicles accessible to Americans. At a time when families are struggling with higher everyday costs, the federal government should be looking for ways to reduce fuel use and put money back in people’s pockets. 

“This administration continues to be out of touch with the needs of everyday Americans. With gas at nearly $4.50 a gallon, families need every tool we have to cut what they spend getting to work and school. This rollback hands them the opposite: higher fuel bills, dirtier air in our neighborhoods, and a U.S. auto industry falling further behind. Mayors are on the ground cutting costs— they’re electrifying city fleets, building out charging, expanding transit, and helping residents save money at the pump every day. Climate Mayors will keep doing the work that lowers costs and protects public health, no matter what happens in Washington,” said Kate Wright, Climate Mayors Executive Director. 

With more than 350+ member cities, Climate Mayors are focused on what works for residents: lowering transportation costs, improving public health, and giving families and businesses more affordable ways to get where they need to go. 

In its latest report in partnership with Greenline Insights, The Climate Mayors Economy: How U.S. cities are reducing fossil fuel consumption while growing their economies — and what continued progress means for how communities thrive, Climate Mayors has shown that cities can grow their economies, even as member cities use 35% fewer gallons of gasoline and diesel, avoiding roughly 226 gallons per person every year. Climate Mayors cities account for an annual GDP of $8.9 trillion, while only using 16%, the equivalent of one-sixth—of the nation’s fossil fuel use. 

Through commitments like electrifying half of their vehicle fleets by 2030 and joining the Electric Vehicles Purchasing Collaborative, Climate Mayors across the country have been taking action to expand access to cleaner, safer, more efficient transportation.

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