With the recent increase in gas prices, consumers are becoming more interested in fuel-efficiency. www.fueleconomy.gov is an online resource brought to you by the United States Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The website provides fuel economy ratings for cars and trucks from 1985 to the present. Many models include real-world estimates (provided by website users) and environmental impact ratings. One tool allows you to compare different car models side by side. These comparisons break down fuel usage into dollars, so you can better estimate the cost basis for purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles. For example, a 2008 Toyota Prius will cost an estimated $3064 less per year to fuel than a 2003 Ford Expedition ($1338 vs. $4402 per 15000 miles at $4.11 per gallon).
Articles provide gas-saving tips. There is a downloadable, printable fuel economy guide that includes fuel economy data for all the models in a given year. Also the Tax Incentives Information Center lists the vehicles that qualify for federal tax incentives, while breaking down the tax-credit rules and how to fill out the associated income tax forms.