Political Discussions
Paving the way for cleaner cars
Posted by timethief • 3/31/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: advocacy, automobiles, clean car standards, environment, epa, fuel efficient vehicles
- The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has been pulling out all the stops to counter automakers' attempts to undermine this process. And believe me, the automakers are continuing their legal and lobbying efforts against the state standards.
Earlier this month, the automakers trotted out the same old arguments in testimony before EPA officials claiming that the clean car standards would force Americans into smaller, more dangerous cars.
Thankfully, UCS analyst and senior engineer Jim Kliesch was there, too. He was equipped with the newly revised blueprint for the UCS Vanguard—a minivan developed by UCS engineers that uses existing technologies and fuels to meet the state clean car standards. Jim was able to demonstrate that automakers already have the cost-effective tools they need to give consumers cleaner, safer cars in every vehicle class.
But we know from 40 years of experience that the science and facts may not be enough to guarantee success.
A recent study showed that when you look at who is trying to influence federal policies aimed at reining in global warming pollution, lobbyists representing special interests—like the automotive, coal, and oil industries—now outnumber public interest advocates by a stunning 8 to 1 margin.
Long-time UCS member Alan Ford and Clean Vehicles Outreach Assistant Leah Rose showed the EPA that automakers could begin producing cleaner vehicles today simply by using technologies and fuels that already exist. The EPA's deadline for comments is April 6.
With your support the UCS will:
* flood the EPA with letters from citizens like you showing that the public supports state rights to implement clean car standards for global warming pollution;
* demonstrate to members of Congress and President Obama's newly appointed Auto Task Force that it is technically feasible for automakers to build cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles and that it makes smart economic sense;
* provide essential technical resources in key states where attempts are underway to adopt clean car standards to show how these new regulations will significantly cut global warming pollution and save consumers money at the gas pump; and
* advocate for national solutions that will complement and enhance state efforts to rein in global warming pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering whether or not it should allow states to implement clean car standards. If implemented, these standards would:
* Reduce global warming pollution from vehicles.
* Provide consumers with the more fuel-efficient vehicle choices that they’ve been demanding.
* Help revitalize the auto industry by creating jobs and stimulating production of vehicles that will be more competitive in the marketplace.
Read more and get involved --> secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1919&s_...
Discussion question: Do you support the efforts of the UCS?
User Comments
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Europe has embraced diesel fueled cars but there seems to be a stigma here in the U.S. because of concerns about sulfur emissions, but with low-sulfur diesel fuel, that's not really a problem. A lot of those vehicles in Europe get over 40 MPG with a lot more torque than comparable gas powered cars so you don't slow to a crawl when going up hills. -
I have heard a lot of complaining about the bailouts of the auto manufactures. I have also heard some advocacy for linking the funds to the production of more fuel efficient vehicles. The UCS letter writing campaign strikes me as a good way for citizens to let their representatives in Congress know that they want the funding to be linked to the production of fuel efficient vehicles.
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Thanks for the info TT! -
The EPA will change it's tune or cease to exist. TT highlights the tired old arguments of the EPA. Their argument can now be seen as an attempt to shore up their unwise investments in 20th Century car technology.
Fuel prices have dropped off due to the world recession and consequent downturn in world demand. However the recession will end, demand will rise and so will the price of fuel.
It is now change or die time for US car manufacturing. US consumers don't want the cars that they build and neither does anyone else.
Fortunately, as TT says, the expertise exists elsewhere in the world to dig the US car industry out of the mire. There is not a lot of point for US manufacturers to spend money they don't have on developing more efficient engines when they already exist.
The shame is that because of the lack of investment and innovation historically in US car production it is very possible that they are reduced to being screw driver plants ie building the North American models of cars using parts and innovation from overseas. -
Vehicle Production Rises, But Few Cars Are "Green"
May 21, 2008 www.worldwatch.org/node/5461?emc=el&m=218549&l=4&v=4d0ecae8ee
Automakers Go Electric
www.worldwatch.org/node/5956
Honda undercuts Prius with sub-$20,000 Insight
Honda Motor Co (7267.T) on Tuesday set the base price for its Insight hybrid at 10 percent below the market-leading Prius hybrid made by larger rival Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T) Honda said the 2010 Insight would start at $19,800, making it the first hybrid to sell in the U.S. market below $20,000. The 2009 model Prius starts at $22,000.
Read more here --> www.reuters.com/article/GCA-autos/idUSTRE5296WJ20090310
Note: I posted a thread on the following to the General Discussion forum 4 days ago.
Tata Nano - The People's Car
Advertised as the "People's Car," the Tata Nano launched this week in Mumbai amid controversy. Many have decried the arrival of the world's cheapest car as an "eco-disaster," citing the hundreds of millions of potential new drivers that Tata's affordable price tag will generate and the resulting increase in carbon emissions. Meanwhile, proponents argue that the Nano has the potential to replace many of the dangerous scooters that now dominate India's roadways, which also produce a large share of the nation's transportation emissions.
Worldwatch Senior Researcher Michael Renner believes that criticism of the Nano's accessibility is nothing short of hypocrisy. "Two-thirds of all passenger and commercial motor vehicles in the world belong to Western countries and Japan, which account for only 15 percent of the world's population. Rather than criticize Indian consumers for pursuing more secure modes of transportation, we should focus on developing public transportation systems that are safe, reliable, and sustainable in both industrial and developing countries alike."
Read Nano Hypocrisy and see the photo here ->
www.worldwatch.org/node/5579
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