why is it that the US government wishes to require all vehicles sold in the US to have an average minimum 35mp

Question

by the year 2020? Now that seems like a bit of a stretch of development time, considering JFK anounced that we would land a man on the moon and return him safely back to earth in less than 10 years at a time when the US hadn't even put a man in orbit. Now I'm not an Einstein but it appears to me that the difficulty factor would be a bit higher to develop the technology to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth in less than 10 years than it would to increase fuel efficiency in automobiles, but for some reason we are giving the auto manufacturers alot more time. Could it be because the oil companies have a VERY strong influence on the American Government? and perhaps someone should look at the politicians' stock portfolios as well. Not making an outrageous accustaion here, I'm just saying.

Oh another little tidbit of the time/development equation. In World War II The US was producing at one point more than 300 B-17 Flying Fortresses a 'month', yet the government thinks the automakers need 12 years of development time to just get the average MPG up to 35mpg. Average 50mpg should be required by 2010!!!

I drive a car which was manufactured in 2000 using 1999 technology and it gets 50mpg. it's a VW TDI.

Answer 1

Oil Companies have undue influence in congress?...Nah

Answer 2

It is ridiculous the way that was set up but I think we are part of the blame too. We keep being influenced by car companies pushing out hi-powered cars. The Camry now can be had with a 260+ HP engine. Why? It's family car. I don't need that much power out of a family car but Toyota tells us it's "the" thing to have. Some of us fall for it. With all that power it still gets about 30 mpg. Imagine if the same technology was used for a 220 HP engine, it may get over 35 mpg but up until now people didn't really demand more fuel saving cars.
We have to demand more from car makers as well. If you notice, more people are demanding more fuel saving cars so now you see more hybrids. Now, if can stop equating hi-power=good car we will see a big difference.

Answer 3

The oil companies have a lot to do with it, but so do the auto manufacturers. The technology already exsists to reach this standard, but pressure from special-interest groups have kept efficiency standards low in the US. Funny part is, the rest of the world is enforcing stricter fuel efficiency standards for the future, and and the rate things are going, US automakers won't be able to sell their vehicles outside of the US before too long because they wont meet the standards of other countries.

Answer 4

Seeing as how foreign auto manufacturers can make vehicles getting a fuel economy in the 35 MPG neighborhood, I don't see why US manufacturers can't. It just makes sense when oil is the top commodity, it's getting more expensive, demand is increasing to do whatever you can to decrease the burden it might impose, doesn't it? You're telling me our auto manufacturers can't catch up with the rest of the world in the next 13 years? I disagree, they can, they better get to work.

Your analogy with putting a man on the moon has little merit, we know cars can get better fuel economy. The fact is American manufacturers make no effort whatsoever to squeeze the most they can out. Instead, they go in the opposite direction and make bigger and bulkier SUVs which get even worse fuel economy. The whole thing is completely backwards! Smart Americans should boycott that travesty to send a message that our automobile industry needs to step it up and keep pace with the rest of the world.

Answer 5

Bush was too much of a coward to raise the CAFE standards or at least support the increase in gallons per mile. Instead he panders to the oil companies and puts up these increases out to 2020. Why not have the CAFE increases begin in 2012? The technology exists, oil supplies diminishing and the consumer would purchase these like crazy.

Answer 6

i think of there are various clarification why the government does'nt require companies to sell basically lots of those automobiles. One is freedom of determination - the united statesis massive on the visual attraction of determination. human beings do not opt to think of their democratic existence sort must be compromised - look at that entire "precise to undergo palms" factor. company is fairly complicated and massive company runs united statesa.. The technologies isn't sufficient yet to furnish a provider that would not compromise shoppers. the united statesauthorities might, if it observed this coverage, admit that worldwide warming exists and that the american way of existence isn't sustainable. throughout classes of national tension - human beings prefer their cloth products as convenience blankets. the priority could properly be exceeded onto the subsequent administration to handle. the government would not supply a **** approximately all and sundry else in this planetbut that is very own electorate. thank you for an attractive question.

Answer 7

Some people feel the market should dictate business, not big bro. Auto companies should make what they can sell and make a profit. If Americans want to save oil, they should buy gas saving cars because they want to, not out of government force.

Answer 8

I would have gone tougher.

It's not hard.
Just say, "all automobiles sold in the US will have a 50+ mpg rating by 2018. Any auto not in compliance will be subject to a 100% tariff."
You would see the true speed at which Detroit can work it out.

Answer 9

The government doesn't do any of this (or at least they shouldn't)

Private industry does.

If more people wanted cars with better gas mileage there would be cars with better gas mileage.

Look at what you and those around you drive.

Government is the problem not the solution.

Answer 10

achieving 35MPG would be bringing the US in 2020 to the world 2005 standard.