I've noticed that CAFE's don't get raised very often, or maybe I don't pay careful attention when they DO raise them?
Nevertheless, why can't we raise the CAFE standards on a fixed interval of time? Why can't we make it a goal that we ALWAYS raise the CAFE every 2 years and make the new CAFE announced to be for cars made in the 4th year after the announcement?
Obviously the CAFE would exceed the possibilities of a gasoline engine at some point thus forcing car makers to go to hybrids or, my favorite, hydrogen powered cars.
Since it is clear that the private sector has no plans to mass produce affordable hydrogen cars, shouldn't we force them?
All the current gasoline producers would follow suit and, over time, change the gas stations to a blend of gasoline pumps and hydrogen filling stations.
I really don't see why this is so hard or why everyone keeps talking about the "conversion cost" being extreme to the end consumer.
The PRIUS as I understand has a superior MPG to standard gasoline-only powered cars. I'm also lead to believe their is a back order on the PRIUS. I'm told to get a PRIUS you have to get in line and get on the waiting list. If this is true then it seems logical that a very high CAFE would force toyota to produce MANY more Prius than now, making the waiting list disappear.
I'm sure someone might correct me on the Science or MPG benefits, CO2 emission savings or even correct me on the conversion factor but I would be more than willing to be educated on this topic.
I am more than willing to be wrong on this subject. I am also more than willing to have my ass handed to me as long as it is based on the mathematics and economic variables I have overlooked in this post.
Let me have it folks.
p.s. I suspect I will get either no replies or replies based purely on emotion. Please make me wrong on both points? p.s.s. Yes I know his is a FORD newsgroup but I thought this NG would be proper since MANY of you seem to have your heads on straight as opposed to those "general newsgroups" related to this topic. Many of those NG's are filled with political witch hunts having nothing to do with whether these ideas are workable. p.s.s.s If you can inform me of a more proper NG then please do so.
Even if no one replies to this post, at least I got this off my chest.
Good day to you all.