Forget hybrids: Senate Panel approves Detroit-friendly CAFE increase
What percentage of Americans really need a bigger SUV than this Escape hybrid?A Senate panel approved a plan to increase average fleet fuel economy in the U.S. to 35 mpg by 2020. Of course, the plan has yet to be approved by the full Senate and the House has its own plan, so it won't be surprising if the final plan is watered down, especially related to trucks and SUVs - Detroit's moneymakers.
Still, the Ford Escape hybrid can essentially meet 2020's standards, today. The Toyota Prius blows this requirement away, today. Hybrid cars provide the technology to meet this requirement, today.
Between now and 2020, lithium-ion battery technology will be available, offering significant increases to hybrid fuel economy and cheaper costs. Plug-in technology for both hybrids and full electric vehicles will be available, but let's keep living in the stone ages of the automobile industry!
The more that America strives for mediocrity, the more mediocre we'll become. It's not immigrants and out-sourcing destroying America, it's our lack of vision as automakers, consumers and politicians. We can conquer the moon, but it takes decades to achieve a 10 mpg increase in fuel economy!
Let's go America, let's be average! Greatness is so passe!
Labels: CAFE, Ford Escape hybrid, fuel economy, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
11:21 AM
3 Comments:
Gas prices may be near a peak - USATODAY.com
41% of Americans told USA TODAY/Gallup pollsters over the weekend that no matter how high prices go, they won't trade for more-fuel-efficient vehicles. The poll has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
This is why congress isn't worked up over any of this stuff. Americans just don't care enough and they don't want to change their habits anytime soon.
I wish I could say I was surprised, but I'm not.
You're absolutely 100% correct!! The is NO VISION and definitely NOI LEADERSHIP in the US auto industry and there never has been. Volvo (in Sweden) developed the first 3-point seat belt systems and I remember US automakers whining that Americans won't wear them, they're too inconvenient, yadda, yadda, yadda. Then came AIR BAGS. Oh my God!! Too expensive!! Nobody wants them and it will make the cars cost more than Americans can afford! So the beat goes on... The US automakers' vision is Wall Street nearsighted and is simply, "build something cheap and quick that we can get them to buy today".
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