Transportation's Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...

Transportation’s Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Volume 2
Information on Vehicle Purchase
Description
The U.S. EPA and Department of Energy
(DOE) have spearheaded a number of
the Federal government initiatives aimed
at influencing consumer decisionmaking
behavior related to consumer
products, including vehicles (EEA, 2008).
Transportation-focused programs
include:
• SmartWay, a voluntary collaboration
between EPA and the freight
industry to reduce greenhouse gases
and air pollution by conferring a
special designation to vehicles that
perform well;
• EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide, first launched in 2001 to give consumers information
about the environmental performance of different vehicles using a rating system; and
• The DOE’s Web site, www.fueleconomy.gov, a similar effort that provides visitors
with readily accessible, nontechnical information on fuel economy ratings and fuel
economics, estimated annual petroleum consumption, GHG emissions data, air
pollution scores, and gas-saving tips for vehicles 1985 through the present. The site
also contains a variety of fact sheets explaining why fuel economy is important.
Magnitude and Timing of Greenhouse Gas Reductions
Public information campaigns appear to have had some success at reducing fuel
consumption. Fuel economy data has, in the past, had more of an impact on behavior than
information on other environmental concerns (ORNL, 2003). DOE credits
www.fueleconomy.gov with inspiring behavior changes that reduced U.S. petroleum
consumption by about 200 million gallons in 2006, which would have resulted in a 2 mmt
reduction in CO2 emissions for the year (DOE, 2007). EPA has also quantified the success
of its SmartWay program. Nationally, over 2500 partners, including ones with large
trucking operations like Wal-Mart Stores and Tyson Foods, have joined the SmartWay
program. According to EPA, since 2004, SmartWay Partners have saved a total of 16
million metric tons of CO2, 1.4 billion gallons of diesel fuel, and $3.5 billion in fuel costs.
Most public information campaigns can likely be implemented within one or two years or
less, but must be sustained over time to have a lasting impact. Programs that affect vehicle
purchases will have an impact that starts low but grows over time, with most benefits
being realized within a 15- to 20-year timeframe as the vehicle fleet turns over.
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Information on Vehicle Purchase
Benefits: Low: 2-5 mmt CO2e in 2030
• Based on quantified benefits of existing
campaigns
Costs: Not estimated
Confidence in Estimates: Moderate
Key Cobenefits and Impacts: Positive
• Improved information for consumers resulting
in potential cost savings
Feasibility: High
Key Policy Options:
• Funding for education/outreach programs