While automakers groan over a pending 2008 law that new cars and trucks must meet a fleet average of 31.6 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2015, the grassroots goal is an average 40 mpg by 2012 and 55 mpg by 2020. A recent study by the Union of Concerned Scientists showed that the technology already exists to raise fuel economy to 40 mpg.

As a way to achieve this goal, a J.D. Power and Associates survey found, “More than half of Americans now say they would consider a gasoline-electric hybrid for their next vehicle purchase.” Co-op America’s new Adopt-A-Dealer program is an organized way to get auto dealers on board with this idea. Dealers will benefit by advising manufacturers that customers are clamoring to buy climate-friendly cars.

P.S.  U.S. automakers’ use of ethanol as an alternative fuel is not the answer. Ethanol production wastes huge amounts of energy, water and land, while consuming crops needed to feed people.

Download the Adopt-A-Dealer guide free at CoopAmerica.org/pdf/AdoptADealer.pdf.