This post is in response to Michael Sky’s blog post “As Gas Prices Drop, Gas Guzzler Sales Increase”. In his blog, Michael was shocked that Americans purchase larger, less fuel efficient SUV’s as soon as gas prices drop. This is a very valid concern from my perspective as well. It is concerning that people seem to be focused on gas prices and not environmental issues, when efficient vehicles are plentiful in the marketplace. However, I think this is an issue for car makers to solve rather than the consumer.
The United States will heighten the restrictions of fuel efficiency in both 2016 and 2025. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, and his administration made these regulation changes in August of 2012, which will force companies to improve efficiency by nearly double to 54.5 miles per gallon. CBC reports that this will be the biggest step the United States has taken towards the reduction of greenhouse gases. The car makers will have some serious headaches obtaining this radical increase, but in eleven years time, there will be no such thing as a “gas guzzler”. Manufacturers may have to use new technologies such as smaller engines, hybrid power, lighter materials, or may even consider fully electric powered cars to meet this mandate. I am convinced that the beloved SUV will not fade away because of the higher fuel economy standards to be put in place, the demand for larger, functional vehicles is too high. As technological advances continue, the car industry will continue to implement innovations that create more efficient vehicles in every category.
References:
https://blogs.ubc.ca/michaelsky/2014/11/03/as-gas-prices-drop-gas-guzzler-sales-increase/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/new-u-s-gas-mileage-standards-would-double-fuel-efficiency-1.1232603
http://watchdog.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/04/gas.jpg