Fuel economy increases create much-needed security, environmental, consumer, and jobs benefits in the U.S. economy.  When fully implemented, the Senate-passed fuel economy compromise in H.R. 6 would save 1.2 million barrels of oil per day in 2020 – over half the oil the U.S. currently imports from the Persian Gulf.  In comparison, weak proposals such as the Hill-Terry legislation (H.R. 2927) do little to cut our oil dependence, saving just 9 days worth of oil in 2020.  Fuel economy has been stagnant for 20 years.  Don’t buy automaker scare tactics that would make Americans use 700,000 more barrels of oil a day in 2020.

Benefits of Increased Fuel Economy

Notes: UCS analysis assumes full implementation of the Senate fuel economy provisions from H.R. 6 (Title V) of 35 mpg by 2020.  Hill-Terry analysis based upon 32 mpg fleetwide by 2022. Oil and climate benefits estimated using vehicle stock model calibrated to Energy Information Administration data. Net consumer savings estimated at the 2006 average gasoline price of $2.55/gallon (measured in 2005 dollars). Jobs impacts estimated using the IMPLAN macroeconomic model, initially developed by the U.S.D.A.