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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Choose Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on fuel-efficient vehicles, including battery-electric or plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles.1 Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more commonplace—particularly in cities where more EV charging infrastructure is currently located—but there is still a long way to go to increase EV adoption rates across the country.

Considering this strategy will help achieve the goal of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Transportation lifecycle phases

This strategy is associated with the following transportation lifecycle phases:

  • Construction
  • End of Life
  • Maintenance
  • Material Selection
  • Operations
  • Policy and Planning
  • Project Development

Who's involved

  • Automakers
  • Car owners
  • Federal agencies
  • Local governments
  • Policymakers
  • State governments
In recent years, there has been an increased focus on fuel-efficient vehicles, including battery-electric or plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles.1 Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more commonplace—particularly in cities where more EV charging infrastructure is currently located—but there is still a long way to go to increase EV adoption rates across the country.

How it Helps

Choosing fuel-efficient vehicles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect public health, and benefit the environment. Even purchasing a newer gas-powered vehicle that gets better gas mileage can significantly reduce annual pollutant emissions. However, choosing the most climate-friendly vehicle option can depend on how each state generates its energy, either through reliance on fossil fuels (which is more emissions intensive) or through more renewable sources.2 Electric vehicles are also generally quieter than vehicles with an internal combustion engine which can help reduce traffic noise in urban environments.3

Implementing

Incentives:
There are several ways to encourage the adoption of more fuel-efficient vehicle adoption, including implementing incentive programs. For example, incentives could include financial discounts or parking incentives for individuals who drive fuel-efficient vehicles, like hybrids or EVs.
Another incentive is the introduction of a feebate policy that rewards vehicle manufacturers to build more efficient models and consumers who purchase these vehicles.4
Charging Infrastructure:
Increasing access to charging infrastructure outside of cities can also encourage more people—especially in suburban and rural areas—to adopt EVs; this is the objective of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s (JOET) National Electric Vehicle Formula Program.
Education:
Additionally, organizations in the private and public sectors can develop educational campaigns to educate consumers on the importance of green vehicles for the environment and public health.

Examples

1) EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide
The EPA has developed a green vehicle guide to help consumers find information on “green vehicles” that are more efficient and less polluting. It provides conventional and alternative vehicle fuel options so that consumers can make informed decisions regarding car ownership. The Guide also provides information regarding EV charging, facts about transportation greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and car and fuel costs.
2) EPA’s Fuel Economy and Environment Label

The EPA’s Fuel Economy and Environmental Label allows car buyers to have ample information regarding fuel economy, fuel costs, and environmental impacts of new vehicles. It also allows users to make comparisons between vehicles by providing ratings on smog and greenhouse emissions per vehicle.

https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/learn-about-fuel-economy-label#NewLabel

3) DOE and EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

Like the EPA label, this joint DOE and EPA website provides side-by-side comparisons of vehicles according to fuel costs, efficiency, and environmental impacts. It also provides tips on gas mileage, hybrid and electric vehicles, and other fuel economy information.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/

4) EPA’s Clean School Bus Program

This program provides $5 billion between fiscal years 2022-2026 to replace outdated, high-emitting school buses with cleaner and zero-emission models.
This will reduce tailpipe pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that can cause harmful health consequences to children due to their high susceptibility to exposures in the environment.

https://www.epa.gov/cleanschoolbus

5) Texas Clean School Bus Program

This comprehensive program is part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Like the EPA’s program, its purpose is to reduce diesel emissions from outdated school buses.

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/terp/school-buses.html

1. EPA. (2022). What You Can Do to Reduce Pollution from Vehicles and Engines. https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/what-you-can-do-reduce-pollution-vehicles-and
2. Climate-Friendly Cars. https://climatefriendlycars.climatecentral.org/
3. Grubesa, S., et al. (2020). Traffic Noise. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92892
4. RMI. (2008). Feebates: a Legislative Option to Encourage Continuous Improvements to Automobile Efficiency. https://rmi.org/insight/feebates-a-legislative-option-to-encourage-continuous-improvements-to-automobile-efficiency/