NEW: RIers Could Save Millions on Gas With Fuel Efficient Cars

The Sierra Club and Environment America released a new report today showing that more fuel efficient cars would save every Rhode Island family an average of $474 at the gas pump this summer alone. The savings for local drivers would total in the millions overall.

Based on current gas prices, Rhode Islanders are expected to spend more than $419,755,352 at the gas pump this summer.

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The report was released as the Obama administration is developing new fuel efficiency and global warming pollution standards for cars and light trucks. 

“Rhode Islanders shouldn’t have to spend their summers worrying about how they will afford to drive, let alone whether their children are breathing air pollution, and whether their beaches are safe from oil spills. President Obama should take a bold step to solve all of these problems and put cleaner cars in the fast lane,” said Abel Collins, program manager at Sierra Club RI. This report shows that by helping consumers burn less oil, cleaner cars would mean we burn less cash too, saving Rhode Islanders $474 in a summer. Not only could you afford that road trip to the beach, but you could book a hotel and stick around for a week with the money you’ve saved.”

Last year, recognizing the benefits of increasing fuel efficiency and decreasing oil dependence, the Obama administration set standards for new cars and trucks built between 2012 and 2016 that will save billions of gallons of fuel.

Move Clean Cars Into Fast Lane

Requiring cars and trucks to meet a 60 miles per gallon standard would be a major step toward getting off oil and decreasing pollution, reducing Rhode Island’s oil consumption over the summer by 53,973,581 gallons, said the report.

 Sierra Club RI called on President Obama to take the next step and move clean cars into the fast lane by making 60 miles per gallon cars the norm and not the exception to the rule.

“This summer, we should remember that clean cars could make our fun in the sun all that much better, creating huge benefits for Rhode Island’s families, our economy and our environment,” said Mike Roles of the Rhode Island Student Climate Coalition.  “We need the Obama administration to push ahead with the clean car standards that will make these benefits a reality.”

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