http://ens-news.com/ens/jul2001/2001L-07-31-09.html Environment News Service: AmeriScan: July 31, 2001 Fuel Economy Website Offers One Stop Auto Information
WASHINGTON, DC, July 31, 2001 (ENS) - Consumers have a new and improved on-line tool to help them select the "perfect" vehicle. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today added several new features to the federal government's fuel economy web site, http://www.fueleconomy.gov, including a gasoline price page with links to national and regional fuel price information and information on vehicle safety ratings and air pollution. "These new features will help consumers understand their total transportation costs and vehicle choices so they can make informed decisions when shopping for a car," said Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. "With this one-stop resource at their fingertips, car buyers can be confident that they've selected the safest, cleanest, and most fuel efficient vehicle that meets their needs." The web site is produced in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the new features are the result of expanded collaboration between the two agencies, as well as with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other industry partners. The gasoline price page features links targeted to national and regional fuel price information, courtesy of the American Automobile Association (AAA) and DOE's Energy Information Administration. Other links direct users to stations offering the least expensive gas in town. A new consumer information page can help drivers understand exactly where their money goes each time they visit the gas pump, and answers other questions about fuel pricing. The vehicle safety rating information comes from DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and vehicle-specific air pollution information from EPA. For example, consumers with children who are researching minivans will be able to identify which models have earned five stars on NHTSA's frontal and side impact tests and use the website's side-by-side comparison features to determine which of those vehicles offers the best fuel economy and lowest greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions. Certain sport utility vehicle (SUV) models score five stars on the NHTSA front impact test and four stars on the side test. Using http://www.fueleconomy.gov, the potential SUV buyer is able to compare model features and decide to opt for the version with better fuel economy and emissions. For example, the four liter engine version of one SUV model is more fuel efficient and has lower greenhouse gas emissions than the five liter version of the same model. Model year 2002 vehicle information will be released on the website this fall. In addition to the new upgrades the site lists annual fuel cost data for new and used vehicles dating back to 1985. It allows searches for vehicles by class, make and model, and miles per gallon, offers fuel saving driver's tips, and links to numerous car buying websites. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Small business owners... Tell us what you think! http://us.click.yahoo.com/vO1FAB/txzCAA/ySSFAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Please do NOT send "unsubscribe" messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/