The automobile industry has been in our everyday lives for years now, and has been evolving day by day. The 21st century brought a plethora of changes, positive and negative. One negative change that has occurred is the economic downfall that brought along with it, the rise of gas prices and job loss in the United States. The rising gas prices and job depression gave the automobile industry a hard hit economically, which has inevitably made the automobile industry make changes, from making hybrid cars to try to increase gas mileage.
“Four years ago, the American auto industry was so opposed to higher fuel economy standards that executives of Detroit camped out in Washington in an unsuccessful bid to undercut them”(Vlasic, Carmakers Back Strict New Rules for Gas Mileage). The times are changing now; the American auto industry is not as opposed to higher fuel economy standards because of the changing times and changing economic statuses. “ On Friday, when President Obama announced even stricter standards- In fact, the largest increase in mileage requirements since the government began regulating consumption of gasoline by cars in the 1970’s. While the American carmakers, as well as their Asian rivals, once argued against even minimal increases in government fuel rules, they are acquiescing without protest to an increase to 54.4 miles per gallon by 2025, from the current 27 miles per gallon(2011)”(Vlasic, Carmakers Back Strict New Rules for Gas Mileage). It is important for the automobile industry to take in to consideration the economy and the earth when making these standards for gas mileage. It seems crazy to me to think that cars could eventually have 54.4 miles per gallon by 2025… that could be amazing! “ The new standards are seen by the Obama administration as critical to reducing oil consumption and cutting consumer expenses at the pump, and the Whit House made it clear to Detroit executives that the changes were coming and they needed to cooperate”(Vlasic, Carmakers Back Strict New Rules for Gas Mileage). Not only is Obama and the country hoping for better gas mileage but they are also improving the hybrid cars which are also a very important factor in this transition to better gas mileage.
The United States is not the only country imposing these new standards but China is finding importance in this issue as well. “Worried about heavy reliance on imported oil, Chinese officials have drafted automotive fuel economy standards that are even more stringent than those outlined by President Obama”(Bradsher, China Is Said to Plan Strict Gas Mileage Rules). It is important for China to realize the problem so that the problems of low gas mileage can try to be stopped/fixed. “The new plan would require automakers in China to improve fuel economy by an additional 18% by 2015, said An Feng, a leading architect of China’s existing fuel economy regulations who is now the president of the innovation Center for Energy and Transportation, a nonprofit group in Beijing”(Bradsher, China Is Said to Plan Strict Gas Mileage Rules). China has a high population, making the amount of cars on the street a lot more. “ The average fuel economy of family vehicles in China is already higher than in the United States, mainly because cars in China tend to be considerably smaller than those in the United States- and are getting even smaller because of recent tax changes. Cars with small fuel-sipping engines are now subject to a 1% sales tax, while sports cars and sport utility vehicles with the largest engines are subject to a 40% sales tax. Stricter fuel economy standards have won support from four interest groups within the Chinese government”(Bradsher, China Is Said to Plan Strict Gas Mileage Rules). Eventually this tax decrease for more efficient cars is going to increase over China and even in the United States, and is a great incentive for these countries to pick a more fuel efficient car like a hybrid over lets say a Hummer.
The Federal Trade Commission comes out with consumer reports on how to save money at the pump, and this report is on tips to stretch the gas dollar at the pump. Some of the tricks are pretty interesting, and ones that anyone on any day can do to save money. “ While on the road, start driving as soon as the engine is started. Modern engines don’t need much time to warm up. The engine actually warms up more quickly once the car is operating, and will stay warm after stopping. Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs yu money, and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour. According to Fueleconomy.gov, each 5mph you drive over 60mph is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon of gas”(Federal Trade Commission, 2011). Like these three ways to save gas mileage there are many more alternatives to try while congress is finalizing the ways to increase gas mileage.
Work Cited:
Vlasic, Bill. “Carmakers Back Strict New Rules for Gas Mileage.” New York Times. 28 July 2011. Web. 6 Mar. 2012. <Carmakers Back Strict New Rules for Gas Mileage>.
Bradsher, Keith. “China Is Said to Plan Strict Gas Mileage Rules – NYTimes.com.” The New York Times – Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 27 May 2009. Web. 06 Feb. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/business/energy- environment/28fuel.html >.
“Saving Money at the Pump: Tips to Stretch Your Gas Dollars.” Federal Trade Commission. May 2011. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt064.sht m>.