"Renewable Energy Sources" topic

Why is Fuel Economy Important? Topics: Protect the Environment, Global Warming, Oil Spills, Air Pollution, Conserve Resources for Future Generations, Reduce Oil Imports, from U.S. Department of Energy.

Saves You Money

You can save $200-$1,500 in fuel costs annually by choosing the most efficient vehicle that meets your needs. This can add up to thousands of dollars over a vehicle’s lifetime. Fuel-efficient models come in all shapes and sizes, so you don't have to sacrifice utility or size.

You can also increase the fuel economy of you current vehicle by adopting good driving habits and maintaining your vehicle.

Reduces Oil Dependence Costs

Dependence on foreign oil costs the U.S. over $296 billion a year in oil imports. It also makes our economy vulnerable to oil "price shocks," such as those caused by foreign cartels manipulating the oil market.

Most of our dependence is due to our transportation system's reliance on petroleum.

Better fuel economy can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help stabilize our economy.

Reduces Climate Change

Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change. Climate change can affect rainfall patterns, water availability, and crop yields, endanger ecosystems, increase damage from floods, storms, and other extreme weather events, and cause adverse health effects.

Since highway vehicles account for more than a quarter of U.S. CO2 emissions, improved fuel economy can reduce our contribution to climate change.

Increases Energy Sustainability

Almost all of the cars and trucks we drive run on fuels derived from oil. Oil is a non-renewable resource, and while there is some debate as to how long this resource will last, we will eventually have to find new ways to power highway vehicles. Until other alternatives are developed, it makes sense to use fossil resources such as oil more efficiently to buy time to develop new and better energy sources and to make the transition to these sources smoother and less expensive.