Myths

Electric cars (or EVs) powered by the U.S. electrical grid are cleaner than gas, E85, biodiesel & fuel cell vehicles. Plug In America

America uses ~380 million gallons of gas every day. That's more than a gallon of gas every day for each man, woman and child in the U.S. DOE Energy Information Administration

Plug-in cars capable of 50 miles per day would meet the needs of 80% of the American driving public. The CODA, at 90-120 miles per charge, meets the needs of 94% of Americans. U.S. Department of Transportation

Carbon monoxide (CO) is poisonous and reduces oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues. About 95% of CO air pollution in U.S. cities comes from transportation sources. EPA

In 2009, America will spend over $250 billion to import ~60% of its oil. That's enough to double the salary of every K-12 public school teacher in America. DOE and The Center for Education Reform

Battery Electric Cars or Electric Vehicles (EVs) are among the most efficient motorized vehicles in the world and use 3-4 times LESS energy than hydrogen fuel cell cars. Plug In America

Carbon footprint is defined as: the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Time For Change

Americans make up on 4.5% of the world's population, yet contribute almost 50% of the world's automotive CO₂. U.S. Census Bureau

Emissions from gas-powered vehicles don't just release CO₂, but also carbon monoxide (bad for respiratory system), hydrocarbons (key component of smog), nitrogen oxides (contribute to smog/ozone), and particulate matter (matter you can see; contributes to asthma & chronic bronchitis). EPA

The level of toxic diesel fumes on the inside of a school bus is four times higher than outside. NRDC and Coalition for Clean Air

The US imports ~13.5 million barrels of oil each day. That's enough to fill almost 859 Olympic-sized pools. DOE Energy Information Administration

For each gallon of gasoline fuel combusted, 19.4 lbs of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is emitted. EPA

Each day, the United States is responsible for 25% of the world's oil consumption, despite holding only 4.5% of the world's population. Oil Dependency

Burning a single gallon of gas emits 19.4 pounds of CO₂ emissions. At 20 mpg & 15,000 miles per year, that's 14,550 lbs. of CO₂ per year. EPA

Temperatures in Alaska, western Canada and eastern Russia have risen at twice the global average. Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report compiled between 2000 and 2004

Particulate matter is solid or liquid particles found in the air. Particulate emissions can reach the deepest regions of the lungs. Health effects include asthma, difficult or painful breathing, and chronic bronchitis. EPA

Enough excess generating capacity currently exists at night in the U.S. to charge ~180 million all electric cars (or EVs) without adding any new capacity. DOE Pacific Northwest Laboratory

Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) caused by your activities in a given time frame. You can calculate your carbon footprint at whatsmycarbonfootprint.com

More than a million species face extinction from disappearing habitat, changing ecosystems and acidifying oceans. National Geographic

Experts predict that sea level could rise between 7 and 23 inches by century's end. A rise of just 4 inches could flood many South Seas islands and swamp large parts of Southeast Asia. United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Hydrocarbons are a precursor to ground-level ozone and a key component of smog. Hydrocarbon emissions result from incomplete fuel combustion and from fuel evaporation. EPA

About 44 barrels of gasoline are produced in U.S. refineries from every 100 barrels of oil refined to make numerous petroleum products. DOE Energy Information Administration

The average human exhales about 900 grams of CO₂ each day, or 328,500 grams of CO₂ per year. That's 328,500 grams of CO₂ a year more than a CODA! USDA

Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) around the world since 1880, much of this in recent decades. NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies

Reports by the IPCC released in April 2007 warned that climate change could lead to large-scale food and water shortages and have catastrophic effects on wildlife. United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The United States does not produce enough crude oil to make all of the gasoline used by U.S. motorists. Only about 34% of the crude oil used by U.S. refineries is produced in the United States. The rest is imported from other countries. DOE Energy Information Administration

In the U.S., gasoline accounts for about 62% of all the energy used for transportation, 46% of all petroleum consumption, and 17% of energy consumption. DOE Energy Information Administration

In 2008, the US consumed 7,111,295,000 barrels of oil. World consumption was 31,343,280,000 barrels. Oil Dependency

Experts partly attribute an upsurge in the number of extreme weather events, such as wildfires, heat waves and strong tropical storms to climate change. National Geographic

America possesses only 2% of proven oil reserves, yet consumes 25% of the world's oil reserves. DOE and NRDC

Nitrogen oxides form when fuel burns at high temperatures, like in gas engines, and form ozone, smog and particulate matter. Transportation sources account for more than 50% of all nitrogen oxide emissions in the U.S. EPA

China and the U.S. are the two largest contributors of carbon emissions, accounting for over 40% of the world's total CO₂ emissions Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency