Right now, the average car goes 27 miles per gallon of gas. Gas prices are rising every week, and American’s wallets are certainly suffering because of it. Gas prices have shot up for a number of reasons. One being overpopulation. With higher populations, more cars are on the road, which means the demand for fuel is high.
I am a student living in the city, so thankfully, I do not have to suffer from paying ridiculous fuel prices on a weekly basis. There is a reason you are starting to see more and more people using public transportation or buying smaller, eco-friendly cars rather than the sweet sports car or V8 trucks. The difference you’ll save fueling a hybrid over other cars can be astronomical.
Ultimately, car dealerships have suffered too with the rise in gas prices because less people are buying vehicles. That’s why companies are now producing hybrid vehicles with better gas mileage…because people are desperate for ways to save money in this tough economy. Hybrid vehicles burn through way less fuel because it runs on electricity. Because of this, the average is expected to go up to 54 over the next 15 years.
President Obama, and Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency are currently designing a program to better the average miles per gallon, as well as pollute the air with more greenhouse gases. The program would save 1.8 billion barrels of oil, and increase mileage by 30%. According to Obama, “over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next five years. And at a time of historic crisis in our auto industry, this rule provides the clear certainty that will allow these companies to plan for a future in which they are building the cars of the 21st century.” The specifics of the program are still being worked on, and then the plan will be released to the public.
Check out this video on gas mileage standards from the LA Times:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/07/obama-announces-tough-new-gas-mileage-standards—-545-mpg/1
References:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30810514/ns/us_news-environment/t/obama-unveils-mpg-rule-gets-broad-support/#.TzhMfdR5mK0
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/business/carmakers-back-strict-new-rules-for-gas-mileage.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_news.shtml
I like how you began with satistics, followed by your own personal situation. Even though you aren’t effected directly since you don’t drive in the city, you acknowledge that others face this daily and provide ways to help.
I really liked how you posted an additional article to read for people who wanted more information, I think it was a great way to tie in another source along with your blog.