This is a goal that President Bush has set regarding gas consumption in the USA, a 20% reduction in fuel use over the next 10 years. I’m going to stay away from politics, I have strong opinions when it comes to them, but this isn’t the place.
Energy conservation… For those of you who know me well, this is something that I’m interested in. It was good to hear the “20 in 10″ goal, but personally I think that’s a little weak.
In 10 years time, I’m betting the majority of people out there will have replaced their vehicles. Just doing a quick search of wikipedia I found this: “The average fuel efficiency of European cars is over 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km), Japanese cars 45 mpg (5.2 L/100 km), and North American cars 20.4 mpg (11.5 L/100 km).” Add to that the fact that Americans lover their SUVs which average “16 mpg (15 L/100 km) highway and 13 mpg (US) (18 L/100 km)”. Do you see where I’m going with this?
European and Japanese cars get double the average fuel economy that American cars get! It’s no wonder that Ford lost $24,000 a minute last year.
Unfortunately for me, my Golf TDI which averaged about 46 mpg was totaled this year. I replaced it with a Dodge Dakota which gets a horrible 15 – 17mpg. Eventually I will replace it or purchase a more efficient daily driver and use the gas guzzler only when necessary.
Hmm, I found this the other day. 80mpg! It’s tempting…
Comments
20% in 10 years is off the PROJECTED value if nothing is done. That means gas consumption could still triple dependign on what values he is using. Plus wind and solar are now 1 billion a year industries and they are expected to jump to 50 billion each in 10 years with the way the current market investments and tax breaks are going. Just something to chew on. Congress just doesnt get it, even dems want ethanol which takes in more gas then it produces right now, it just keeps iowa from going into the depression without its farm subsidies. Kepe up the good work tony
Thanks Adam! I definitely agree about more gas going into the production of ethanol than it replaces, ethanol production is a joke right now… So when are you going to update your website? I’ve got a link to it under my “links” section…
An AUTORICKSHAW??!!?? That thing is atrocious looking… that’s right, I used the word atrocious… I don’t care if it gets a billion miles per gallon… IT IS UGLY… and not safe for someone who is prone to accidents…
