Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2003 09:40:08 -0500 From: "Walt Kienzle" <wkienzlenopsam.net> Subject: Re: GM to increase SAAB lineup
I think we are long past the time when increasing fuel economy has any noticeable effect on pollution reduction. Pollution reduction and fuel economy have become two unrelated issues. In the US we are already very close to making vehicles that have cleaner air coming out of the exhaust than is going in the intake. The mileage increases that Congress rejected (both Democrats and Republicans) called for a drastic 50% increase in fuel economy over the next (IIRC) 5 years. The only ways to increase mileage is by using expensive, low rolling friction parts (GM is already doing this in many of their large cars. I don't know about the other makes.) or reducing the weight of the cars and making them less safe, or not making them at all. Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards have their place - they are a source of "Gas Guzzler" tax revenue on many Rolls-Royce, Ferarri, Lambourghini, Mazarati and other expensive cars sold in the US. But they shouldn't be so draconian that they put a hardship on the average guy that has to pay more for his family car than he can afford. Walt Kienzle "'nuther Bob" <undisclosednopsamsclosed.com> wrote in message news:5crn9vo66fn0p02m0cmidmgejn6k8ab94cnopsamcom... > On Mon, 14 Apr 2003 21:24:27 -0700, B&D <NO_SPAMnopsamCOM> wrote: > > >The mileage increases in the Congress just got rejected - gack. > > The sad news is that as long as people keep electing legislators who > are opposed to regulating pollution in any way, pollution controls > and mileage standards will continue to stagnate. > > Bob > >