Inability to reduce petroleum consumption

In 1996 the USA daily consumption of oil rose above 18 million barrels for the first time since 1979. Almost half was imported.

In the USA, individual engines have become more efficient, but because "light trucks" (SUVs, pickups, and minivans) constitute half of all vehicle sales, national average fuel economy in 2002 is at its lowest since 1980: 20.4 mpg.

In 2002, the USA scrapped a $1.5 billion program to develop an 80-mpg car by 2004 and substituted FreedomCAR (the "CAR" stands for cooperative automotive research), which provides $125 million in 2003, with more in future years, to help automakers in pre-competitive hydrogen power research but relieves them of strong fuel economy standards.