The past, a sign of the future
Why do I believe that automakers can meet the new mileage standard? Well, let me remind you of how things were in 1960. There were approximately 74 million cars on the road in the United States, with an average mileage of 8.7 MPG. In 2002, these numbers soared to 235 million and 13.8 MPG. Over the last five years, the average mileage has jumped to 27.5 MPG. This performance is about three times better than 47 years ago! So, as you can see, a 40-percent improvement over the next 13 years is not so hard to fathom. Automakers shouldn't be angry against the government.
Do we really have a choice?
The planet is in a pitiful state; the same was true even decades ago. Some new technologies give us hope, but aside from the Chevrolet Volt, there are not too many reasons to rejoice. While we wait for a miracle solution, the remedy is legislation. Since the number of passenger cars on the road increases almost exponentially each and every year (and I'm not even including China), it has become crucial to curb vehicle fuel consumption. The way to do it is by adopting more stringent regulations and laws aimed at automakers. Again, I think that 35 MPG by 2020 is a realistic goal.
What about alternative fuels?
The Senate specified other requirements for the next 13 years. Americans should accelerate the transition to alternative fuels such as ethanol, hydrogen, diesel and biodiesel. By 2022, the annual alternative fuel consumption in the US should rise to about 136 million litres. And the petroleum industry will also have to be regulated. Why not? We might not have other choices!
The consumer pays the bill
One thing's for sure: automakers will invest astronomical amounts of money in R&D over the upcoming years... and consumers will indirectly absorb the bill. True, if we manage to salvage the planet and get significant fuel savings, it might all be worth it in the end. Consequently, expect to see a lot of major changes in the auto industry. The biggest manufacturers have the technology, the expertise and the money to really surprise us. And I bet they will!
photo:Photos.com
Why do I believe that automakers can meet the new mileage standard? Well, let me remind you of how things were in 1960. There were approximately 74 million cars on the road in the United States, with an average mileage of 8.7 MPG. In 2002, these numbers soared to 235 million and 13.8 MPG. Over the last five years, the average mileage has jumped to 27.5 MPG. This performance is about three times better than 47 years ago! So, as you can see, a 40-percent improvement over the next 13 years is not so hard to fathom. Automakers shouldn't be angry against the government.
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Do we really have a choice?
The planet is in a pitiful state; the same was true even decades ago. Some new technologies give us hope, but aside from the Chevrolet Volt, there are not too many reasons to rejoice. While we wait for a miracle solution, the remedy is legislation. Since the number of passenger cars on the road increases almost exponentially each and every year (and I'm not even including China), it has become crucial to curb vehicle fuel consumption. The way to do it is by adopting more stringent regulations and laws aimed at automakers. Again, I think that 35 MPG by 2020 is a realistic goal.
What about alternative fuels?
The Senate specified other requirements for the next 13 years. Americans should accelerate the transition to alternative fuels such as ethanol, hydrogen, diesel and biodiesel. By 2022, the annual alternative fuel consumption in the US should rise to about 136 million litres. And the petroleum industry will also have to be regulated. Why not? We might not have other choices!
The consumer pays the bill
One thing's for sure: automakers will invest astronomical amounts of money in R&D over the upcoming years... and consumers will indirectly absorb the bill. True, if we manage to salvage the planet and get significant fuel savings, it might all be worth it in the end. Consequently, expect to see a lot of major changes in the auto industry. The biggest manufacturers have the technology, the expertise and the money to really surprise us. And I bet they will!
photo:Photos.com