Increase Energy Sustainability

Sustainable energy use meets our present energy needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It requires that energy be

• Developed from renewable resources
• Produced by cleaner, more-efficient technologies
• Used more wisely and efficiently

Almost all of the cars and trucks we drive run on fuels derived from oil, which is non-renewable. It is unclear how long this resource will last, but we will eventually have to find new ways to power highway vehicles.

Researchers are hard at work exploring new fuels and vehicle technologies:

• Hybrids, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are areas of intense research. Automakers are also using more efficient technologies in gasoline and diesel vehicles.
• Renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel can help offset petroleum use.
• Other fossil fuels such as coal, shale oil, tar sands, and natural gas may meet some of our energy needs.

For now, it makes sense to use fossil resources such as oil more efficiently. This buys us time to develop new and better energy sources. It will also make the transition to these sources smoother and less expensive.