# Oil Dependence: Solutions from Detroit Ingenuity

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/oil-dependence-solutions-from-detroit-ingenuity/
- Published: 2011-05-11T01:15:13-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## On the Anniversary of BP Oil Disaster, Science Group Urges Oil Savings from Detroit

One year after BP’s Deepwater Horizon explosion caused the worst oil spill in U.
S. history, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is sending a clear message. 
They remind Americans that Detroit holds the key to reducing oil consumption.

“Drilling Detroit not for new oil, but for new solutions saves money [at the pump](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/01/ml450-hybrid-46-percent-better-fuel-economy-however-lets-see-the-numbers/),
cleans our air, and cuts oil dependence,” said David Friedman, deputy director of
UCS’s Clean Vehicles Program. “Building cleaner, more efficient vehicles creates
American jobs without risking coastal communities. The best way to reduce our oil
dependence is to make our supplies go further.”

### Automakers Deliver More Efficient Options

U.S. automakers are starting to sell cars and trucks that travel farther on every
gallon. For example, Chevrolet’s 2011 Cruze Eco is rated at 37 to 42 miles per gallon(
mpg) on the highway. Meanwhile, the 2011 Ford Explorer gets 20 percent better fuel
economy than its previous model.

Both the Cruze Eco and Explorer use conventional engines. However, Ford also offers
a hybrid version of its 2011 MKZ. This model gets 41 mpg in the city, at the same
price as the non-hybrid version.

![Two fuel efficient cars parked at a scenic overlook with clean highway views illustrating
solutions to reduce oil dependence](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/
uploads/2011/05/BCEE4318-92E9-4EE8-B376-CD3D5B5A3C08-300x200.png?resize=300%2C200&
ssl=1 "BCEE4318-92E9-4EE8-B376-CD3D5B5A3C08 - The Green Living Guy")

Fuel efficient and hybrid vehicles offer practical solutions to reduce oil consumption
cutting costs and protecting the environment

### National Goals for Cutting Oil Imports

President Obama recently set a goal to reduce oil imports by one-third by 2025. 
As part of this plan, the administration is drafting the next round of fuel-efficiency
and emissions standards.

These rules could push new cars and light trucks sold in model year 2025 to reach
60 mpg and 143 grams-per-mile of carbon dioxide equivalent. This would mark a major
step toward slashing oil use and cutting pollution.

### Savings for Drivers and the Environment

UCS analysis shows the strongest standards being considered would deliver big benefits.
They would cut oil consumption and global warming emissions. Moreover, drivers could
save $7,500 over a vehicle’s lifetime at $3.50 per gallon—a savings equal to one
dollar per gallon compared with today’s cars.

These standards could save as much as 270 billion gallons of gasoline through 2030.
In 2030 alone, they might save 100 million gallons each day. That figure exceeds
U.S. imports from the Persian Gulf and is nearly five times what offshore drilling
in restricted areas could produce.

### Lessons from the Gulf Disaster

“Last year’s disaster in the Gulf of Mexico reminded us of the high costs of drilling
for oil,” said Jim Kliesch, research director for UCS’s Clean Vehicles Program.

He added, “Instead of gambling on offshore exploration, the U.S. should make our
oil go further by requiring automakers to build cleaner, more efficient vehicles.
When Detroit engineers apply their ingenuity, they can achieve great things.”

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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