The Twelve-Year Auto Fleet: Why Energy Policy Outlives the Congress that Writes It

Vehicles on U.S. roads are older than ever, with the average vehicle age reaching a record 12.8 years in 2025. That reality should shape how we think about energy policy: decisions made today may not be reflected across the automotive fleet for decades. In this conversation, Jessica Carter of Ford Motor Company argues that durability, not ambition, determines whether policy succeeds. She’ll discuss how policy whiplash affects American manufacturing and why Washington should measure success by vehicle lifespans rather than election cycles.

Jessica Carter, Head of Federal Government Affairs, Ford Motor Company
Angela Chiappetta, Vice President of External Relations, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum