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However, despite breakthroughs in gas-saving technology, the government has allowed fuel economy standards to stagnate and auto companies have hawked inefficient SUVs and other trucks for nearly 20 years. As a result, the fuel economy of today's new vehicles has fallen to the lowest level in over two decades. It doesn't have to be this way. By using innovative and cost-effective technology to increase our fuel economy,we can protect the environment, create jobs, and make America safer and more secure.
If all of the vehicles in the U.S. averaged 40 miles per gallon (mpg) we would save over 3 million barrels of oil each day; that is more oil than the United States currently imports from the Persian Gulf and could ever extract from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, combined. Getting 40 mpg would cut global
warming pollution by 600 million tons a year
and save consumers more than $45 billion
each year at the gas pump. The U.S. is the
world's largest global warming polluter — we
must take the lead in reducing this pollution.
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Cars and light trucks account for 40% of U.S. oil consumption and emit 20% of the
nation's carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution, the heat-trapping gas that causes global
warming. Because each gallon of gasoline burned pumps 28 pounds of CO2 into the
atmosphere, the average car emits about 63 tons of CO2 over its lifetime — and the
average SUV or pickup emits around 82 tons. In comparison:America's automobiles produce
more global warming pollution than all the vehicles, power plants, and factories in
Great Britain combined.