Should More FuelEfficient Vehicles be Required by Law

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Should More Fuel-Efficient Vehicles be Required
by Law?

• Geology 107 Our Dynamic Planet
• By Hillary Green

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• "This is a plan that will save gas and result in
  less pain at the pump for motorists without
  sacrificing safety.
• --Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta

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Proposed Plan

• The Department of Transportation announced a plan
  that requires auto manufacturers boost fuel
  efficiency by six percent on SUVs and light
  trucks by 2008. All automakers would have to
  comply fully by 2011. They hope to save
  approximately 10 billion gallons of gasoline over
  the life of vehicles built between 2008 and 2011.

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Facts and Figures

• New system would divide light trucks into six
  categories. Smaller vehicles would be required
  to get better gas mileage than larger trucks.
• Currently automakers must maintain an average of
  21 mpg for light trucks and for 2007 model year
  will have to meet 22.2 mpg.
• There is the option to use the old system through
  2010. Automakers would then have to meet 22.5
  mpg average in 2008, 23.1 mpg in 2009, and 23.5
  mpg in 2010.

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Facts and Figures

• Under the new system, the standards would range
  as high as 26.8 mpg in 2008 for smaller vehicles(
  ex. Chrysler PT Cruiser Toyota RAV 4) to 20.4
  mpg for large vehicles (ex. Chevrolet Silverado
  and the Dodge Ram)
• By 2010 the standards for mpg would range from
  27.8 to 20.8.
• Automakers earn credits for exceeding the minimum
  in certain categories and apply them to a
  category where they dont meet the standard.

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Plan (continued)

• The auto industry and interest groups will
  evaluate the plan over the next three months. The
  proposal must be finalized by April 2006 to take
  effect for the 2008 model year.

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Auto Industry Reaction

• Automakers say to achieve higher fuel efficiency
  they will have to build smaller, lighter vehicles
  which are less safe to drive.
• American automakers cite a disadvantage against
  foreign competitors because sales of large SUVS
  must be offset by the sale of smaller models to
  comply with the fuel efficiency standards.
• Mike Jackson, chairman and chief executive of
  Auto Nation Inc., the nations largest publicly
  traded dealer group, is suggesting a yearly
  increase of 10 cents per gallon in the gas tax
  over the next decade.

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• "At a time when Americans are paying record
  prices for gas, the Bush administration has sided
  with its cronies in the auto industry and
  rejected real solutions." --Dan Becker, director
  of the Sierra Club's global warming program.

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Critical Reactions

• Environmental advocates say that this plan
  doesnt do enough to reduce dependence on foreign
  oil.
• Passenger cars and light trucks, a vehicle
  category that includes pickups, minivans and
  SUVs, only account for about 40 percent of the
  nation's oil use.
• Automakers who used the old system would only
  have to boost the fuel economy an average of 1.3
  mpg, less than the requirements for 2004 -2007.

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• "One of the fundamental problems with the system
  is automakers can add size, in some cases only a
  tiny amount, and meet a dramatically lower
  standard, said David J. Friedman, research
  director for the clean vehicles program of the
  Union of Concerned Scientists.

• For example, the Subaru Outback, currently in the
  smallest class of vehicles, could be made less
  than an inch wider and longer and move up into
  the next size grouping, thereby lowering its fuel
  economy requirement.

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• Critics say the American market should dictate
  consumers. Thanks to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,
  they believe the high cost of gasoline will
  naturally induce people to buy more fuel
  efficient cars.
• The possibility of improved fuel efficiency could
  force automakers to raise prices of vehicles.
  This might discourage owners from buying new
  cars, instead they would keep their older,
  inefficient cars for longer.

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A good start but

• This is a step in the right direction, however,
  it is not doing enough
• Exempts the largest SUVS which are the biggest
  part of the problem.
• Doesnt hold the automobile industry completely
  accountable by
• giving automakers the option of continuing to
  use the old system.
• creating loopholes that weaken requirements
• Still maintains the dependency upon foreign oil.

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What can be done

• Make fuel-economy standards applicable to all
  vehicles.
• Require all automobile makers to comply with the
  plan immediately.
• Reevaluate vehicle classification.
• Promote use of alternative sources of energy
  through government refunds and tax incentives.

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References

• New Fuel Proposal Fuels Debate CBS News
  http//www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/23/national
  /main792271.shtml
• Federal Mandate Fuels Debate Tribune Democrat
  http//www.tribune-democrat.com/editorials/local_s
  tory_273123942.html?keywordsecondarystory
• Switching to Renewable Energy Gets Easier Brad
  Foss, Associate Press, MSNBC http//msnbc.msn.com/
  id/7652881/
• New Fuel Standards Proposed Margaret Webb
  Pressler, Washington Post http//www.washingtonpos
  t.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/23/AR20050823
  00625.html