The National Climate Assessment summarizes the impacts of climate change on the United States, now and in the future.

From funding research into technologies that will save Americans money at the pump to increasing the fuel economy of gasoline-powered vehicles to encouraging the development and deployment of electric and alternative fuel vehicles, the Energy Department is committed to providing consumers with a full range of vehicle choices while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and reducing impacts on the environment.

More than a dozen alternative fuels are in production or under development for use in alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. Government and private-sector vehicle fleets are the primary users for most of these fuels and vehicles, but individual consumers are increasingly interested in them.

Battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, use electricity stored in a battery pack to power an electric motor and turn the wheels. When depleted, the batteries are recharged using grid electricity, either from a wall socket or a dedicated charging unit.

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