Written by:
fordmaverick
10/7/2008 7:47 AM
One of the biggest factors in the direction of research and engineering in the field of fuel efficiency is none other than the governments. Let’s face it, government organizations love having their hands in as many cookie jars as possible and irregardless of its effects on the nation’s citizens, oil and fossil fuels are far more profitable. However in recent years more and more force has been put on the various government organizations to start looking for new ways of fuel efficiency and while they are still not doing enough, they are doing more then previous.
With all types of rebates being handed out and government regulations that require so many cars considered to be “fuel efficient” sold in any given year, they are helping to increase research and expenditures in fuel efficiency. However the truth is that they are not doing enough and as long as the use of fossil fuels are the most profitable, the car companies to will focus their attention on increased fuel usage. One can easily see that in places like California where there are now regulations revolving around the requirement of “X” many cars ever year being of higher efficiency, this has led to the Big 3 to turn their attention towards increasing fuel efficiency in their cars.
When you think about it, it is in fact government regulations that has affected every single major change in the automotive industry from 5 star crash test ratings to the mandatory installment of seat belts. Likewise, if the government really wanted us to save money and use fuel efficient cars, they could very easily pass some smoke belching legislation that taxes vehicles having less then so many miles per gallon versus their overall curb weight. A simple taxation in this manner would make the auto manufactures want to push the fuel efficiency envelope in all of their cars as well as the end user wanting to get the most efficiency they can get.
It all comes down to the government regulations. Sure it is supposed to be a free market without intrusion by the government, but have they not always intruded when it comes to the automotive industry? Tings like taxation and regulation forms and controls the manner in which business are run and when a business is taxed heavily because their cars are too polluting to the environment, they will do what ever it takes to get those cars more fuel efficient in order to prevent any further taxes.
Of course, these changes will never occur unless the lawmakers representing us know that we want them. The law makers are supposed to pass laws for us as citizens and not against us, and while they may say that a new law is in the best interest for the people, in reality it is quite often in the best interest of their own pockets unless they actually hear voices saying to the contrary. The only real way to get the auto manufacturers to start making even more fuel efficient vehicles is by speaking up and speaking out to those who you have voted to represent you and your neighbors. When enough voices are heard, change will happen; it is only a matter of time.
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8 comments so far...
Re: Fuel Efficiency and the Government
I have never been a fan of taxing someone into submission. I have easily seen that the ones who are affected by this type of legislation are the poor, because the low quality vehicles will still be available and will become very cheap and the poor will take them as this will be the new thing that is the " only thing they can afford "
No what we need to do is pass wide sweeping laws that take these gas guzzlers off the streets buy not allowing them to pass inspection after this upcoming year, and at the same time throw some money into the program to allow anyone with need to get a more fuel efficient vehicle.
Auto makers will not make vehicles that they cannot sell.
By Taki on
10/9/2008 5:37 AM
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Re: Fuel Efficiency and the Government
i agree with taki, the ones that will be very affected are the poor people. i think the government should also think about these people. and of course, these poor people will be the ones to suffer a lot. i will have to agree with taki with his idea about passing wide sweeping laws.
By Maylin on
10/10/2008 1:45 AM
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Re: Fuel Efficiency and the Government
You know that you are right. If the government was not so much more worried about how much money they would be making we would have had alternative fuels 20 years ago, when it first was stated that it was a problem. But keep in mind that back then they said we were out of oil or just about and now 20 years later we are finding that there is hidden oil in the Dakota's. I am sure that it is just their ploy to continually make money. They are never out to really help the people of the country.
By attagirl on
10/11/2008 10:51 AM
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Re: Fuel Efficiency and the Government
Despite speaking all about this, we know one thing is for sure. We are running out of time and high time to eventually stop using oil. We all should learn a lesson from Japan. Because once the Oil Production Arab Countries imposed a ban on importing oil to japan. But japan was so cool and damn bothered. The government adviced the people to use Cycle and public transport to the maximum. The public obliged to the law and it was not so difficult for them. So here is the real life example for all of us.
By descorpio on
10/12/2008 2:07 AM
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Re: Fuel Efficiency and the Government
The government is one powerful force that drives the way the economic machinery work. There is simply no second thought about that. But they intend to focus on keeping their voters happy. The voters in turn, more often than not, focus their thinking based on personal gains mainly. In the deadlock scenario like this, I think the common public is as much to blame as the government.
By jigyasa on
10/20/2008 2:08 AM
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Re: Fuel Efficiency and the Government
Its very high time. Let me give you the example. In my part of the country, there is deficit in the electricity production. The diesel for generators are sold at 150% price of its usual. But still there is scarcity for that too. I think so this is the right time to save all the resources we have. Else we all will be bankrupted.
By descorpio on
10/20/2008 7:37 AM
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Re: Fuel Efficiency and the Government
You are so very right here with this article. The government is the determining factor as to what is approved and when and basically determines how much they will be charging. I think that the government has their hands in too many places and this is why they so freely have so much troubles with the economy.
By attagirl on
11/10/2008 9:00 PM
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Re: Fuel Efficiency and the Government
Generally speaking the tax payers are the ones who suffer the most from these decisions that are made by the government. Think back in time when Diesel fuels where less than regular gas, but since the increase of diesel vehicles came about, the price of that fuel is now higher than regular fuel. I think that is a good example of what the government does to the people.
By Attagirl on
12/5/2008 10:54 AM
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