Energy Policy Act of 1992: Limited Progress in Acquiring Alternative FuelVehicles and Reaching Fuel Goals

摘要

In 1992, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act (the act) with the objective,among others, of reducing petroleum use in transportation by encouraging the use of alternative fuels in light-duty vehicles (cars and light trucks). Alternative fuels include ethanol, methanol, natural gas, propane, electricity, and biodiesel, among others. Alternative fuel vehicles operate on these fuels, although some of them can also consume gasoline. The act established goals of having alternative fuels replace at least 10 percent of the petroleum fuels projected to be consumed in 2000 and at least 30 percent of projected consumption in 2010. With the first deadline approaching for the acts petroleum replacement goals, you asked that we review progress towards achieving these goals through the use of alternative fuel vehicles. More specifically, you asked that we determine (1) the progress made in acquiring alternative fuel vehicles and using alternative fuels to meet the acts fuel replacement goals, (2) the impediments to using alternative fuel vehicles, and (3) the measures that can be taken to address those impediments to using alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels to help reach the acts replacement goals.