Consumer Reports is supporting a New Mexico bill that would promote cleaner fuels for transportation across the state.
The bill (HB 426) would put a Clean Fuel Standard in place to lower the carbon intensity of transportation fuels, and help New Mexico consumers gain access to low carbon fuels and technologies. These standards aim to reduce harmful emissions that are linked to extreme weather, such as wildfires and droughts.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan CR is urging New Mexico legislators to approve HB 426 before they adjourn for the year.
- New Mexico: Tell Your State Lawmakers to Support Cleaner Fuel Options
- Letter from Consumer Reports to New Mexico lawmakers in support of Clean Fuel Standard (HB 426)
- Press Release: Consumer Reports urges New Mexico Legislature to pass Clean Transportation Fuel Standard Bill (HB 426)
- Consumer Reports low carbon fuels factsheet for policymakers
LOW CARBON FUELS OVERVIEW
Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, can trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere. This can lead to extreme weather such as hurricanes, droughts, and increased wildfires, leaving vulnerable communities with destroyed infrastructure, lower health outcomes, billions of dollars in damages, and instability.
Transportation is the number-one source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. One of the ways we can reduce emissions is by using low carbon fuels to power our cars, trucks, planes, delivery vans, and other vehicles.
Low carbon fuels are transportation fuels that release less carbon dioxide into the air when burned than traditional fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. One example of a low carbon fuel is electricity, which can power electric vehicles and hybrids. But electricity is not the only example. There are many options, including ethanol and diesel, which can fuel the millions of gas-powered vehicles already on the road today, and hydrogen, which requires new vehicle technology.
Consumer Reports is taking a close look at low carbon fuels — or LCFs, as some people like to call them. This online hub provides information about the different types of LCFs and the kinds of vehicles and technologies that can use these fuels. We explore how we can shape policies to make these fuels better for consumers and easier to adopt. You’ll find survey data, fact sheets, white papers, and more content about LCFs and how they could be a solution for a more sustainable transportation future.
Watch video in Spanish: ¿Qué Son Los Combustibles Bajos En Carbono?
RESOURCES:
Consumer Reports Low Carbon Fuels White Paper
To reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, we must use a variety of tools to help bring cleaner technologies to the market. This white paper provides information about low carbon fuels (LCFs) and comparisons of the carbon dioxide reduction for different types of LCFs — both commercial fuels and others under development. It also provides broad policy principles for low carbon fuel standards. Read CR’s report on low carbon fuels and policy principle recommendations for a cleaner future.
Consumer Reports Low Carbon Fuels Survey
In January and February 2022, Consumer Reports conducted a nationally representative multi-mode survey. The purpose of the survey was to gauge Americans’ perspectives and concerns regarding the transportation industry’s impact on the environment and their willingness to make environmentally-friendly transportation choices. The survey assessed Americans’ awareness about and desire to use low carbon fuel in vehicles and aviation when they become available. View CR’s survey findings.
Consumer Reports Low Carbon Fuels Fact Sheets
There’s a lot of conversation today about the need for “cleaner transportation” in the United States. That’s because transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mostly from burning gasoline for our cars and light trucks. Low carbon fuels (LCFs) are transportation fuels that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Learn more about what LCFs are, how consumers can use them to significantly reduce emissions, and how policies can be used to make them more accessible:
- Factsheet for Consumers (Spanish translation)
- Factsheet for Policymakers
- Policy Principles for Low Carbon Fuel Standards
Consumer Reports “Cleaner Transportation: EVs, Low Carbon Fuels, and Beyond” Webinar
Consumer Reports invited consumers for a discussion on the future of cleaner transportation. Topics included the prospects for low carbon fuels that can power everything from cars to airplanes and cargo ships today to the growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles on our roads. Watch and share CR’s webinar.