What do CAFE standards regulate?

CAFE standards, or Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, specifically focus on regulating the average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States. These standards are intended to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. By setting specific fuel economy targets that automakers must meet across their fleets, CAFE standards encourage the development and adoption of more fuel-efficient vehicles, which can lead to significant reductions in petroleum consumption and lower overall environmental impact.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects that are not covered by CAFE standards. Employee income levels, manufacturing efficiency, and waste management practices are regulated by various other policies and standards, but they do not fall under the purview of CAFE, which is primarily focused on fuel economy and related environmental benefits.