Memorial Day Gas Prices and Fuel Efficiency

This weekend marks the beginning of the summer 2012 driving season, and saving money at the pump is on everyone’s mind. More than 31 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from their homes over the Memorial Day weekend. With gas averaging $3.67 per gallon, consumer fuel costs will exceed $171 million this weekend alone.

If proposed fuel efficiency standards—which would require cars and light trucks to get 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025—were in place today, drivers would save at least $67 million this weekend.

Increasing fuel efficiency standards will not only save consumers money at the pump, but they also will reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, decrease pollution, and promote investment in new clean transportation technologies.

Download this graphic. (PDF)