The only problem with the whole situation is that the auto industry blocks seemingly effective and clean technology such as cars that run on natural gas, because of the kickback they get on oil sales, and they promote pipe-dream and very inefficient technology such as hydrogen cars, hybrid cars, electric cars, and ethanol, to keep up their "oil kickbacks". The way I see it is the government should start letting the auto industry deflate (because they own most of it) and start pursuing short term, a middle term, and a long term approach to beating the foreign oil dependency.
For short term (5-10 years), I would shoot for a goal of 25 mpg's for every "personal" car to enter the market, and a progression of a small number of miles per gallon every year, so like 25 MPG's in 2012, 26 in 2013 and so on.
For middle term (15-20 years) start working on developing engines that can use natural/clean gas NOW, and hope to implement in the near future.
For long term- (25+) start the nuclear car revolution, same strategy as natural gas, start working on it now.
But i'm not the president... yet.