Green Cars, Fuels, and Transportation for the 21st Century

Our Program

Global warming emissions from the transportation sector can be reduced by increasing the production and use of clean, highly efficient vehicles powered by sustainable low carbon fuels and electricity, and by better designing communities to include accessible and convenient alternatives to driving. The Sierra Club is working to achieve three primary outcomes in this initiative:

1. Clean and efficient vehicles: A fleet-wide new vehicle fuel economy average of at least 42 miles per gallon by 2020 and at least 50 mpg by 2025, through a combination of state and federal standards and a shift to vehicle electrification.


2. Lower-carbon fuels: Reduce the carbon content of the fuels used for transportation by 15% below the 2005 level by 2030.


3. Expanded transportation choices and increased reliance on transportation alternatives: Reducing vehicle miles traveled per person by increasing public transit use, fostering compact communities with transportation choices (rail, bus, walking, biking), and by cutting the number of car trips taken.

CARS - Cash for Clunkers

In June President Obama signed the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Program, aka Cash for Clunkers, into law. Owners of old gas guzzlers can trade in their vehicle for a voucher towards the purchase of new, more efficient vehicle. But the CARS program does little to encourage consumers to buy vehicles with the best fuel economy. The owner of a 14mpg gas guzzling truck can trade that vehicle in and get $3,500 taxpayer dollars toward the purchase of a 15mpg gas guzzler! You can make the most of cash for clunkers by purchasing a highly efficient vehicle that will curb global warming and save you money.  Read more

• Green Transportation Main
• Clean Cars
• Cash for Clunkers
• The Biggest Single Step
• Global Warming Solutions
• Factsheets and Reports