How To Save with More Fuel-Efficient Pickup Trucks

September 22, 2011

Selecting which vehicle to purchase is likely one of the most important fuel efficiency decisions you’ll make.

The difference in fuel cost between a 19-MPG pickup truck and one that gets 23 MPG (like a Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab with four-wheel drive compared to the hybrid version of the same truck) amounts to $1,002 per year (assuming 30,000 miles of annual driving and gasoline at $3.65 per gallon).

Or the fuel-cost savings with Ford's F150 Eco Boost at 21 MPG (for a Super Cab, four-wheel drive model) adds up to about $550 per year (again, assuming 30,000 miles and gas at $3.65 per gallon).

So how do you know which vehicles are most fuel efficient? Do your homework. Check out the numerous websites available for your review (see the links below).

Start with the EPA’s site for energy efficiency and renewable energy at www.fueleconomy.gov. The site houses a wealth of information about fuel economy in general, such as tips on driving more efficiently and a fuel savings calculator. It also features an up-to-date comparison tool to help you choose a more efficient vehicle (www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byclass.htm). Simply plug in your most important vehicle parameters and let the search tool suggest fuel efficient vehicles for you. You can even check out the most and least fuel efficient trucks, vans and SUVs at www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworstEPAtrucks.htm.

Fuel Efficiency Guides Online

INCREASE ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable energy use is energy use that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their energy needs. Achieving sustainable energy use requires that energy be:

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

Almost all of the cars and trucks we drive run on fuels derived from oil, which is
non-renewable. While there is some debate as to how long this resource will last,
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 and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are areas of intense research, along with efficient technologies for 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 are another possibility.

In the meantime, it makes sense to use fossil resources such as oil more efficiently to buy time to develop new and better energy sources and to make the transition to these sources smoother and less expensive.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov