Pew Campaign for Fuel Efficiency

As worldwide concern mounts about global climate change and the role of human activities in increasing greenhouse gases, few areas are more problematic than U.S. transportation. Currently, motor vehicles account for two-thirds of all American oil consumption and one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Globally, U.S. transportation is responsible for 8 percent of all global warming pollution, and roughly 17 percent of all oil use.

Fuel efficiency standards were implemented in the wake of the oil crisis in the 1970s. But standards were allowed to stall in 1985, and today fleet-wide efficiency for passenger vehicles is lower today than it was 20 years ago.

The Pew Campaign for Fuel Efficiency is building public support for stronger standards through a national effort to educate and engage diverse constituencies in the fuel economy debate. The campaign educates policy makers and the public about how increased fuel efficiency standards can reduce our dependence on oil, enhance security, save consumers money and stimulate investments in vehicle technologies that help solve global warming.

The campaign is

  • seeking support in Congress for stronger U.S. standards;
  • conducting public education efforts in 15 to 20 key states; and
  • coordinating a coalition of environmental groups at the national level.

The campaign is also conducting media outreach as well as public opinion polling and nonpartisan research and analysis.

For more information, visit the Pew Campaign for Fuel Efficiency Web site.

 

Report

Related Content

Media Coverage

Pew in the Media

E-Alerts & Newsletter

Stay updated with Pew News Now! We invite you to sign up to receive our weekly e-mail newsletter.