Transportation Basics
Transportation today draws on a diverse mix of domestic fuels, advanced engine designs, electric-drive systems, and connectivity—all contributing to improved performance, energy security, and reliability across the transportation sector.
Technological innovations—such as improving the advanced batteries that power plug-in electric vehicles and co-optimizing fuels and engines—reduce costs while increasing efficiency and performance. At the same time, innovative mobility strategies have the potential to transform the movement of people and goods, enhance national security, and save individuals and businesses both time and money.
Energy-efficient vehicle technologies are part of the solution. Electric drive vehicles—hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and all-electric vehicles—use electricity either as their primary fuel or, as with hybrids, to improve the efficiency of conventional vehicle designs. And because electricity and hydrogen are domestic resources, using them in vehicles boosts the U.S. economy.
All-Electric Vehicles
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles
Hybrid-Electric Vehicles
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Why is this important?
Each year in the United States, drivers travel more than 3 trillion miles.
Transportation accounts for about 70% of U.S. petroleum consumption and nearly 40% of the energy we use as a country.
For the typical American, transportation is the second highest expense after housing…
and the average city commuter wastes approximately 54 hours a year stuck in traffic.
Additional Resources
Transportation and Mobility Research
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Research
Transportation and Mobility News and Feature Stories
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells News and Feature Stories
Alternative Fuels Data Center (U.S. Department of Energy)
Alternative Fueling Station Locator (U.S. Department of Energy)
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Last Updated Aug. 27, 2025