CAFE standards have a straightforward goal: improve vehicle mileage and thus reduce gasoline consumption. But there are numerous unintended consequences from this program that increase its costs while offsetting its goals. A fuel tax can achieve the goals of the CAFE standard program at a much lower cost without the unintended consequences. The disadvantage of a fuel tax is that it is a visible cost to the driver, while the cost of CAFE standards is buried in the sticker price of a new vehicle. This makes fuel taxes more difficult to implement since politicians, rather than automakers, will bear the wrath of consumers. If improved fuel economy and reduced gasoline consumption is the goal, then policymakers should meet this goal with a fuel tax, despite the political costs.