General Motors Corporation (GM) has manufactured the first
battery pack for its Chevy Volt in Michigan, marking a
milestone on the path to production of the extended-range
electric vehicle later this year. Ford Motor Company is also
planning to manufacture electric vehicles in Michigan.
The United States makes up 5% of the world's population and accounts for 25% of total energy use.
Estimated energy demand is charted to grow by almost 50% in the next 20 years.
Appliances account for roughly 65% of electricity consumption in the average American household (2001), with refrigerators and lighting making up the largest categories. (Source: EIA)
Public policies such as appliance and vehicle efficiency standards and building codes are responsible for at least 20% of the improvement in the US's energy intensity--energy use per unit of GDP. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
In 2007, about 58% of the petroleum consumed in the U.S. was imported from foreign countries--primarily Canada, Saudia Arabia, Venezuela, Mexico and Nigeria. (Source: EIA)
