Alternative fuel vehicles are a great source of fuel economy. We are here to track our Nations Interstate highways for hybrid, ethanol, electric and hydrogen powered cars, even hydrogen powered trucks on the nations highways, all kind of alternative fuel vehicles, including hydrogen, E85 and ethanol fuel cars, trucks and commercial vehicles such as buses, even running trains!

Americans love their vehicles. But the US spends more than $2 billion-week on oil imports, mostly for transportation fuel. This need for oil affects our national security. Also, highway vehicle emissions are the leading source of the nations air pollution, which jeopardizes our health. Fortunately, there are solutions to these problems. Vehicles powered by domestically produced, clean alternative fuels and other energy efficient, advanced technology vehicles can help reduce our dependence on imported oil and improve air quality.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV's) operate on alternative fuels, such as methanol, e85, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, and others designated by the DOE. Using these alternative fuels in vehicles may reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. In addition, most of these fuels can be domestically produced and derived from renewable sources. FTC Rules require labels on all new AFVs to give the vehicle’s estimated cruising range and general descriptive information. Find out how many miles a new AFV travels on a tank or supply of fuel because, gallon for gallon, some don’t travel as far as gasoline-powered vehicles.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles offer another option for car buyers. According to DOE and EPA, electric cars combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to achieve different objectives, such as improved fuel economy and increased power.

There are Hybrid Compacts, Sedans and Trucks now available for purchase, and many more expected in the coming years. Hybrid vehicles can go fast and save gas. Hybrid pick-up trucks will offer a 10-15% improvement in fuel economy.

Increasing the efficiency of cars, suv's and trucks can play a significant role in reducing America’s dependency on foreign oil. Driving a hybrid car is one way to take a real step toward reducing our dangerous dependency on foreign oil.

How to Improve Gas Mileage

The price of gasoline doesn’t have to bust your budget or put the kibosh on your summer driving plans. Whether you are shopping for a new car or just trying to maintain the one you have, you can take some steps to get the best mileage out of your gas purchases. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, offers these tips to use fuel efficiently:

• Drive More Efficiently by staying within posted speed limits. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.
  
  
• Stop aggressive driving. You can improve your gas mileage up to 5% around town if you avoid “jackrabbit” starts and stops by anticipating traffic conditions and driving gently. Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs you money, and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
  
  
• Combine errands. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
  
  
• Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate. They improve the fuel economy of your car when you’re driving on a highway.
  
  
• Remove excess weight from the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce a typical car’s fuel economy by up to two percent.
  
  
• Avoid packing items on top of your car. A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by five percent.
  
  
• Maintain Your Car by keeping your engine tuned. Tuning your engine according to your owner’s manual can increase gas mileage by an average of four percent. Increases vary depending on a car’s condition.
  
  
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. It can increase gas mileage up to 3%.
  
  
• Change your oil. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can improve your gas mileage by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy on the highway.
  
  
• Check and replace air filters regularly. Replacing clogged filters can increase gas mileage up to 10%.
  
  
• At the Gas Pump use the Octane Level You Need by checking your owner’s manual which recommends the most effective octane level for your car. For most cars, the recommended gasoline is regular octane. In most cases, using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit. Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is usually a waste of money.