Gas Guzzlers Are Goners: How About Oil?

Fuel efficiency is no longer just a selling point for new cars; it's a federal mandate. Last week, President Obama set new standards that will double the fuel efficiency of cars and light-duty trucks by 2025, a move that was at once embraced and admonished by voices in the energy and automotive industries. "Adapt or die" has never been truer, and some companies will flourish while others fail. Prepare your portfolio: This ride is about to get bumpy.

Need-to-know details
In a continuation of the administration's mandated 35.5 mpg fuel efficiency by 2016, the new bar has been set even higher: Increase fuel economy to 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by 2025. In the press release, the Obama administration highlights some of the expected environmental and political benefits of this initiative:

• Economic: save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump ($8,000 per vehicle lifetime).

• Environmental: cut carbon emissions by 50% (6 billion metric tons).

• Political: reduce U.S. dependence on OPEC oil by 50% (2 million barrels per day).

The deal was penned by the U.S. government, but 13 automakers also signed on in support of the initiative.

Big Oil goes bust
When all the dust settles, the biggest losers might be oil companies themselves. Automakers can improve their fuel efficiency and incorporate new energy sources into their engines, but oil will remain oily, no matter what. Companies such as Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYS: OXY) and Apache (NYS: APA) stand to lose the most, with oil comprising around 75% of their total reserves.

Go natural
Natural gas offers increased fuel efficiency and ostensibly fewer carbon emissions, meaning that companies such as Chesapeake Energy (NYS: CHK) and Ultra Petroleum could rake in vehicle-gas sales. An increasingly large supply of natural gas is currently hurting these companies' top-line sales, but it's also increasing demand as more energy users switch to cheap natural gas.

As the largest natural gas filling-station operator, Clean Energy Fuel (NAS: CLNE) also stands to benefit. The company currently keeps 25,000 natural gas-powered vehicles on the road, mostly to heavy-duty trucks. With only 273 fueling stations, Clean Energy has a lot of room to grow if average American drivers begin to fill up on natural gas.

Plug in to profits
Electric-car company Tesla Motors (NAS: TSLA) will undoubtedly see increased business from this newest announcement. Incorporated in 2003, Tesla has made a resounding entry into the luxury-electric-vehicle market, but it's also developed strategic partnerships with big-name car companies. For FY 2012, development and sales of powertrain systems to Daimler and Toyota made up 90% of all accountants receivable. As more automakers look to increase the efficiency of their fleets, it's likely that Tesla will continue to pick up more development projects.

Foolish bottom line
The official White House release isn't lighting a fire it can't put out. To support its new standard, the government is introducing a variety of incentives, including benefits for electric and natural gas vehicles.

But beware, ye of natural gas faith: As both a nod and a warning to natural gas, the administration is in the market for technologies achieving "real-world greenhouse gas emissions." Although the new initiative supports natural gas, it also acknowledges the gas' fuel-efficiency shortcomings and might not settle for this fuel's fumes forever.

The energy sector is changing drastically, and this newest standard will speed along the inevitable switch away from oil and toward more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative fuel sources. The past 10 years have seen massive upheavals in companies' profits and perils, so be sure to stay one step ahead and adjust your portfolio accordingly.

As the roadside source for natural gas, Clean Energy Fuel stands to be the face of natural gas for consumers across the country. With 250 million vehicles on American roads, this company could potentially increase its customer base by as much as 10,000% in the years to come. For all the details on this stock, Motley Fool Analyst Jason Moser has prepared a special premium report outlining the threats and opportunities awaiting Clean Energy Fuels as it seeks to expand. It's available for a limited time only and comes with a full year of free updates, so pick up your copy today.

The article Gas Guzzlers Are Goners: How About Oil? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributorJustin Loiseauowns none of these stocks, but he wouldn't mind taking aTesla Roadsterfor a spin in 2025. You can follow him on Twitter,@TMFJLo, and on Motley Fool CAPS,@TMFJLo.The Motley Fool owns shares of Ford, Chesapeake Energy, Apache, Tesla Motors, and Clean Energy Fuels.Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended buying shares of General Motors, Ford, Clean Energy Fuels, and Tesla Motors.Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended creating a synthetic long position in Ford. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

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