Transportation - December Campaign

Transportation - Protecting the Environment

Did you Know?

· The U.S. uses more than 20 million barrels of oil each day.
· 60% of our oil is imported.
· 68% is used for transportation.
· Oil imports cost us $270 billion annually (accounts for more than half of the oil used to produce the gasoline for our vehicles).
· Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel add greenhouse gasses, mostly carbon dioxide (C02) to the Earth’s atmosphere.


The Type of Vehicle We Purchase Makes A Difference:

· Vehicles with lower fuel economy burn more fuel, creating more CO2. Each vehicle creates about 20 pounds of CO2 (170 cu. ft.) per gallon of gasoline it consumes.
· Fuel-efficient vehicles can help strengthen our national energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
· By choosing a vehicle that achieves 25 miles per gallon rather than 20, we can prevent the release of about 17 tons (260,000 cu. ft.) of greenhouse gases over the lifetime of a vehicle.
· Electric vehicles (EVs) are propelled by an electric motor (or motors) powered by rechargeable battery packs. They are energy efficient and environmentally friendly; they reduce energy dependence and have performance benefits as follows:
-electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels;
-EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power plant producing the electricity may emit them;
-Electricity is a domestic energy source; and
-Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation.

Our Driving Behavior Affects Fuel Consumption:

· Aggressive driving (speeding and rapid acceleration and braking) can lower gas mileage by an much as 33% at highway speeds and 5% around town.

· Observing the speed limit -- each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph can reduce fuel economy by 7-8%. (Source: Department of Energy).

· Idling is not good for our environment or for our vehicles:
-Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle.
-Excessive idling can actually damage engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems. Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because an engine does not operate at its peak temperature.
-Frequent restarting of a vehicle has little impact on engine components like the battery and the starter motor. The bottom line is that more than ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

-So, Be Idle Free!
·If you are in a drive-through or waiting for someone and could be parked and sitting for 10 seconds or longer, turn off you car engine.
·Idling is linked to increases in asthma, allergies, heart and lung disease and cancer.
·Idling for 1 hour burns nearly 1 gallon of gasoline.

Maintenance of Vehicle:

·Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve gas mileage by about 4%.
·Keeping tires inflated to the correct tire pressure can improve fuel economy by 5%.
·Keep tires aligned and balanced.
·Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage.