How to Reduce Oil Dependence Costs

Today, over half of the oil we use is imported (58%), and our dependence will increase as we use up domestic resources.

Most of the world's oil reserves are concentrated in the Middle East, and about two-thirds are controlled by OPEC members.

Oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly—about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008—and each major shock was followed by a recession.


Solutions

We may never eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand.

Congress recently passed legislation to decrease our dependence on oil by increasing corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards on new cars and trucks to 35 mpg by model year 2020. This could reduce our petroleum use by 25 billion gallons by 2030.

Ultimately, the solution to this problem lies in technological progress:

* Developing advanced vehicle technologies that use energy more efficiently
* Creating new energy sources that can replace petroleum cleanly and cost-effectively

How to Reduce Oil Dependence Costs

Today, over half of the oil we use is imported (58%), and our dependence will increase as we use up domestic resources.

Most of the world's oil reserves are concentrated in the Middle East, and about two-thirds are controlled by OPEC members.

Oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy dearly—about $1.9 trillion from 2004 to 2008—and each major shock was followed by a recession.


Solutions

We may never eliminate our need to import oil, but we can reduce cartel market control and the economic impact of price shocks by reducing our demand.

Congress recently passed legislation to decrease our dependence on oil by increasing corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards on new cars and trucks to 35 mpg by model year 2020. This could reduce our petroleum use by 25 billion gallons by 2030.

Ultimately, the solution to this problem lies in technological progress:

* Developing advanced vehicle technologies that use energy more efficiently
* Creating new energy sources that can replace petroleum cleanly and cost-effectively

Fuel economy and the Greenhouse Gas Scores

How do I find the greenest vehicle possible?

We have identified the lowest emitting and most fuel efficient vehicles with a "SmartWay" designation. In addition, the best of those are identified as "SmartWay Elite." Look up all SmartWay and SmartWay Elite vehicles from the Home:Basic Search Look up the Greenest Vehicles page. Click on the logos to see more about the SmartWay rating system.

How can I look up a used car?

You can use this Guide to determine the Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Scores of any model year 2000 and later car or truck. There are no Air Pollution or Greenhouse Gas Scores for earlier models. However, there are other ways to look at the air pollution (emissions) and greenhouse gas (related to fuel economy) data for older models:

* Emissions: EPA annually posts detailed emission certification test information (actual vehicle test data) in a spreadsheet format at www.epa.gov/otaq/crttst.htm. This data is more technical in nature and may not be useful to the average consumer. Beginning in model year 2004, light-duty vehicles and trucks were required to meet “Tier 2” emission standards. Most vehicles built before 2000 were subject to the less stringent National Low Emission Vehicle (NLEV) or Tier 1 emission standards, and would score between 1 and 3 today. (See the detailed table of emission standards (6 pp, 54k, About PDF) for more information. )


* Fuel Economy: For fuel economy information on cars older than model year 2000, go to the EPA/DOE fuel economy web site at http://www.fueleconomy.gov. This site has fuel economy information for all vehicles going back to 1985.

Why are some vehicles sold only in some parts of the country?

California has emission standards that are similar to but not exactly the same as federal standards. In addition, other states are permitted to adopt the California standards. For the 2008 model year, the following states have adopted the California LEV 2 emission standards: NY, ME, MA, PA, RI, CT, VT. Also, states which border those states may also sell California-certified vehicles. Most manufacturers choose to design a single vehicle type that complies with both California and federal emission standards, thus the vehicles will be available nationwide. However, in some cases, manufacturers will design and certify a vehicle type for sale in California only or the "California states." Information about California's emission standards program can be found at www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/msprog.htm. Exit EPA Disclaimer

Why must I select a state before looking up a vehicle?

Emission requirements for vehicles sold in California and certain states that have adopted California's vehicle emission standards are different from those sold in the rest of the U.S. The law also allows states that border the so-called "California states” to sell California-certified vehicles. As a car shopper, all this makes it very complex to determine where you can purchase the cleanest vehicle that meets your needs. On the previous version of the Guide, after you selected a vehicle, we showed you maps where the vehicle could legally be sold, leaving it up to you to determine if the vehicle was available. In our redesign of the Guide, we now ask that you simply select the state or states where you may be purchasing your vehicle, and the program determines which vehicles you may be able to find in those states, taking some of the guesswork out of your decision. However, please be aware that just because a manufacturer is allowed to offer a vehicle for sale in a certain state does not mean that it must or will offer it for sale there. Sometimes, a manufacturer will certify a vehicle for sale in the entire 50-state region, but only plans to offer it in a limited area. We have no way of knowing these plans, so it's always best to check with your dealer about availability. Information about California's emission standards program can be found at www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/msprog.htm.

Why can't I find some of the biggest trucks, SUVs and vans in this Guide?

Some of the largest vans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles are officially classified as "heavy-duty trucks." Heavy-duty trucks have different emission standards which cannot be easily compared to the standards of the light-duty trucks, and are thus not included in this Guide. They are also exempted from any federal fuel economy requirements. More information about the emission requirements for these and other heavy-duty vehicles can be found at www.epa.gov/otaq/hd-hwy.htm

Fuel economy and the Greenhouse Gas Scores

How do I find the greenest vehicle possible?

We have identified the lowest emitting and most fuel efficient vehicles with a "SmartWay" designation. In addition, the best of those are identified as "SmartWay Elite." Look up all SmartWay and SmartWay Elite vehicles from the Home:Basic Search Look up the Greenest Vehicles page. Click on the logos to see more about the SmartWay rating system.

How can I look up a used car?

You can use this Guide to determine the Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Scores of any model year 2000 and later car or truck. There are no Air Pollution or Greenhouse Gas Scores for earlier models. However, there are other ways to look at the air pollution (emissions) and greenhouse gas (related to fuel economy) data for older models:

* Emissions: EPA annually posts detailed emission certification test information (actual vehicle test data) in a spreadsheet format at www.epa.gov/otaq/crttst.htm. This data is more technical in nature and may not be useful to the average consumer. Beginning in model year 2004, light-duty vehicles and trucks were required to meet “Tier 2” emission standards. Most vehicles built before 2000 were subject to the less stringent National Low Emission Vehicle (NLEV) or Tier 1 emission standards, and would score between 1 and 3 today. (See the detailed table of emission standards (6 pp, 54k, About PDF) for more information. )


* Fuel Economy: For fuel economy information on cars older than model year 2000, go to the EPA/DOE fuel economy web site at http://www.fueleconomy.gov. This site has fuel economy information for all vehicles going back to 1985.

Why are some vehicles sold only in some parts of the country?

California has emission standards that are similar to but not exactly the same as federal standards. In addition, other states are permitted to adopt the California standards. For the 2008 model year, the following states have adopted the California LEV 2 emission standards: NY, ME, MA, PA, RI, CT, VT. Also, states which border those states may also sell California-certified vehicles. Most manufacturers choose to design a single vehicle type that complies with both California and federal emission standards, thus the vehicles will be available nationwide. However, in some cases, manufacturers will design and certify a vehicle type for sale in California only or the "California states." Information about California's emission standards program can be found at www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/msprog.htm. Exit EPA Disclaimer

Why must I select a state before looking up a vehicle?

Emission requirements for vehicles sold in California and certain states that have adopted California's vehicle emission standards are different from those sold in the rest of the U.S. The law also allows states that border the so-called "California states” to sell California-certified vehicles. As a car shopper, all this makes it very complex to determine where you can purchase the cleanest vehicle that meets your needs. On the previous version of the Guide, after you selected a vehicle, we showed you maps where the vehicle could legally be sold, leaving it up to you to determine if the vehicle was available. In our redesign of the Guide, we now ask that you simply select the state or states where you may be purchasing your vehicle, and the program determines which vehicles you may be able to find in those states, taking some of the guesswork out of your decision. However, please be aware that just because a manufacturer is allowed to offer a vehicle for sale in a certain state does not mean that it must or will offer it for sale there. Sometimes, a manufacturer will certify a vehicle for sale in the entire 50-state region, but only plans to offer it in a limited area. We have no way of knowing these plans, so it's always best to check with your dealer about availability. Information about California's emission standards program can be found at www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/msprog.htm.

Why can't I find some of the biggest trucks, SUVs and vans in this Guide?

Some of the largest vans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles are officially classified as "heavy-duty trucks." Heavy-duty trucks have different emission standards which cannot be easily compared to the standards of the light-duty trucks, and are thus not included in this Guide. They are also exempted from any federal fuel economy requirements. More information about the emission requirements for these and other heavy-duty vehicles can be found at www.epa.gov/otaq/hd-hwy.htm

Alternative Fuels

Alternative fuels are derrived from resources other than petroleum. Some are produced domestically, reducing our dependence on imported oil, and some are derived from renewable sources. Often, they produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel.

To promote alternative fuels, the Federal government offers tax incentives to consumers purchasing qualifying alternative fuel vehicles.



Ethanol is produced domestically from corn and other crops and produces less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels.

Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. It usually produces less air pollutants than petroleum-based diesel.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that generates less air pollutants and greenhouse gases.


CNG Logo Propane, also called liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a domestically abundant fossil fuel that generates less harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases.



Hydrogen can be produced domestically from fossil fuels (such as coal), nuclear power, or renewable resources, such as hydropower. Fuel cell vehicles powered by pure hydrogen emit no harmful air pollutants.

Alternative Fuels

Alternative fuels are derrived from resources other than petroleum. Some are produced domestically, reducing our dependence on imported oil, and some are derived from renewable sources. Often, they produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel.

To promote alternative fuels, the Federal government offers tax incentives to consumers purchasing qualifying alternative fuel vehicles.



Ethanol is produced domestically from corn and other crops and produces less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels.

Biodiesel is derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. It usually produces less air pollutants than petroleum-based diesel.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that generates less air pollutants and greenhouse gases.


CNG Logo Propane, also called liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a domestically abundant fossil fuel that generates less harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases.



Hydrogen can be produced domestically from fossil fuels (such as coal), nuclear power, or renewable resources, such as hydropower. Fuel cell vehicles powered by pure hydrogen emit no harmful air pollutants.