Monday, May 12, 2008

Will cars have to pass a 35 mpg efficiency standard by the year 2020?

So there has been a debate in congress passing an energy bill that will affect the largest auto makers, general motors, ford, and Chrysler. These three companies are spending millions so that this bill will not be passed. I think that this would be a great idea but it would cost these companies a lot of money that they are not willing to spend. It seems like the year 2020 is so far away and that we have the technology to do better but at least this is a start. Here are some of the reasons that it would be better for our economy. www.35mpgby2020.com/the-facts.html#jobs

· It creates jobs
· A 35mpgby2020 fuel economy boost would create 241,000 jobs in the U.S., including 23,900 in the auto industry in 2020
· According to University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) research, raising fuel economy fleet wide to 35mpgby2020 would save up to 35,000 jobs
· 35mpgby2020 would reinvigorate the U.S. auto industry
· Without fuel efficiency gains, Detroit stands to lose $3.6 billion if gas prices stay high
· The National Academy of Sciences says our automakers already have the technology to get their cars and light trucks to average 35mpgby2020 without sacrificing vehicle size, safety or horsepower
· According to UMTRI research, raising fuel economy fleet wide to 35mpgby2020 would boost domestic automakers' profits by $12 billion through 2018
· An increase in fuel economy standards would save American 1.2 million barrels a day which is more than we currently import from Iraq

I think this would be a great idea, not only for the environment but also for our economy.