Consumers have more choices today in the shape, size, and color of the car or truck they purchase than ever before—choices that exist under current fuel economy standards. Requiring the auto industry to meet higher fuel economy standards across all vehicle types will expand consumer choice, no longer limiting consumers to smaller, no-frills cars if they want to get more than 30 miles to the gallon. Currently, there is virtually no choice available to consumers if they choose to purchase an SUV or other larger vehicle. Detroit has the technology to improve the fuel economy of all passenger vehicles, but has opted to focus on increasing size and power instead of gas mileage. Higher fuel economy standards would mean that consumers could choose to save fuel and own an SUV, minivan, pickup truck, or family car without sacrificing the power and performance they currently enjoy.

History demonstrates that higher fuel economy does not limit vehicle choice. There are currently more than 400 vehicle nameplates (nameplates are a combination of models; for example, the Ford Taurus nameplate includes the Ford Taurus LX, SE, SES, and SEL models) available from the approximately 22 passenger vehicle manufacturers selling cars and trucks in the United States today. This includes 237 passenger car nameplates and 171 light-duty truck nameplates. By comparison, there were fewer than 300 nameplates available in 1978, the year fuel economy standards first went into effect.