Automakers support an “integrated approach.” To address energy security and climate change, the Alliance supports a multi-stakeholder approach including the transportation sector, energy providers, the R&D community, investors, policymakers and consumers. Automakers must continue producing advanced diesels, hybrids and vehicles powered by biofuels, electricity and hydrogen. Policy priorities need to be broad and include alternative fuels, the fuels infrastructure, R&D, investments, and consumers.

Auto manufacturing represents the first industry to commit to significant CO2 reductions. In April 2010, NHTSA and EPA finalized new national MPG/CO2 standards through 2016 for automobiles. This single national program is critical for success because it avoids a patchwork of conflicting federal and state requirements. And a national program moves all automakers forward toward improved fuel efficiency and reductions in CO2 emissions, while providing sufficient lead-time to incorporate new technologies.

The future is now for 2017 and beyond. Automakers joined federal policymakers at the White House on May 21, 2010, to launch the next phase of NHTSA and EPA regulations to address fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions through 2025. This process allows many stakeholders to be involved in developing an integrated approach that links technology, energy, government and consumers.

The Alliance supports an economy-wide climate change policy. All sectors of the economy share responsibility for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and should be linked into one comprehensive program that allows businesses to trade off costs and benefits. America’s environmental and economic objectives can best be met through an economy-wide, market-driven approach, and the auto industry wants to be part of this solution.

America needs a comprehensive energy policy. The service station of the future will be providing more than just gasoline. Automakers’ best efforts to deploy Alternative Fuel Autos will succeed only if high quality fuels are widely available in high volumes to power them. So we support a widely available range of energy sources including biofuels, clean diesel, compressed natural gas, liquified petroleum gas, low-carbon electricity and hydrogen.

Automakers are reaching new technology milestones. In 2010, nearly 200 models are on sale that achieve 30 MPG or greater on the highway, a 47% increase over 2009. Consumers have a wide choice of Alternative Fuel Autos on dealer lots, including hybrid, clean diesel and flex-fuel models, and electric vehicles are entering the marketplace.

Consumers are in the driver’s seat. When it comes to determining whether green technologies are successful or not, consumers are the decision-makers. For automakers to meet the new national MPG/CO2 standards, consumers will need to buy energy-efficient autos in large numbers. Consumers can make better decisions with the help of better price signals or incentives, along with improved information on technology choices and driving practices that reduce CO2. For example, through EcoDriving consumers can reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions by an average of 15%.