Comments on: Brown Sues Over “Pathetic” Fuel Efficiency Standards

By: MJ

MJ — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 18:56:30 +0000

The politicians are not the ones who will make the changes needed to wean us off foreign oil, we are. They think they can manipulate us into thinking that they can, but it is not true. This article just goes to show how desparate they are to prove he or she is "the one" that will lead us into the perfect future. Sueing, how dumb is that? It is just another ploy by a politician to get his name recognized and get some of that "green" vote.
It wasn't too long ago when a car getting 20mpg was a big thing. Now, the car makers are finally striving for better, thanks to the pressures from us, the public.
If most vehicles coming out become hybrid or alternative-fuel it is better for everyone. Any improvement in gas mileage or lower emissions is good and a giant step forward. We have a long way to go still, but we are finally moving forward.
The public is being made aware of things we can do and that it is our personal responsibility to make the changes, not the government's.

By: John

John — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 03:30:32 +0000

Jeff, I think your opinion on SUV hybrid models and high end hybrid versions is a little unrealistic, you can not expect everyone to stop driving SUV’s, or bigger more comfortable cars right away, it takes time. I understand what you are trying to say when it comes to gas mileage, your right, but in order for hybrids to become successful in today’s market it’s going to have to be done in small steps. By introducing hybrid technology into different models it will make the concept more successful, once that is done then hopefully more efficient hybrid engines will come out and eventually we will see higher numbers. But by saying hybrid models besides the prius are bad is foolish. I believe that it is great that hybrid technology is expanding into more models; it equals success in the long run in achieving high MPG.

By: BP

BP — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:50:41 +0000

Only 23.5 miles per gallon by 2010! Wow, this is great news for oil companies. I was hoping around 35 to 50 mpg. GM, Oil companies, and Government = Global warming. “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:37:56 +0000

Most people who bash the prius have little or no knowledge of the truly great performance this car provides. Mileage overall is around 50mpg and the ride is excellent. I don’t think it’s performance on ice or in snow is very good but otherwise for steering and braking the car is superior all the way. Thanks

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 28 May 2007 10:05:26 +0000

People need to stop the Bush-bashing… WE are the ones driving the vehicles (well maintained or not), WE are the ones who drive the economy, WE are the ones who make the trends happen, not the pencil pushers of Washington.
The automakers are finally waking up to the fact that WE want more from our cars than we have had in the past. That is why the Hybrid craze is happening. The hot media word for this year has been “green”. I am in favor of using the technology to lower emissions. In fact, I just bought a Prius a couple of weeks ago. Congress has always been behind the times on things and this is another example of it, but any step forward is an improvement. WE the consumers need to make sure WE educate ourselves and demand better gas milage and lower emissions. After all, WE are the ones BUYING the products.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 18 May 2007 21:43:14 +0000

Supposedly, there is work going on in Congress to raise the standards to 35MPG by 2017(?).

I hope this works, though I bet Bush will stop this.

Come on people, 40MPG is the magic number. Make 40MPG and obtain an United States independent of foreign oil.

By: cancersurvivor

cancersurvivor — Thu, 17 May 2007 23:34:27 +0000

The EPA just reported that the Los Angeles area is the most air-polluted metro area in the United States. Due to pollutants in the air, over 5400 more people die of lung related diseases in Los Angeles every year, by the EPA estimate. Children in Los Angeles have lung lesions from the smog. This is a public health and safety issue, not a corporate profits or corporate rights issue. The government must reduce emissions for the public health and safety. The EPA report went on to say that HALF of people living in the USA live in areas that do not meet current air quality standards. People – taxpaying US citizens – are dying from air pollution in the tens of thousands every year! It is far past the time for government to step in for the public health and safety. In addition to increasing mileage standards, the states must again adopt rules for zero-emissions cars. Who killed the electric car? Big Auto, Big Oil, and the Bush administration killed the electric car. People are dying and government must act! Public health and safety trumps any other issue.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:21:24 +0000

OKay then lets all skip the ICE all together, and wait for the Honda FCX production model. I’m going to be in the market for a new car in early 08 I hope it avaiable by then.

By: John

John — Thu, 17 May 2007 11:00:51 +0000

Some of the hybrid cars are very eco unfriendly as they produce more carbon in the build and decommissioning (scrapping!) due to greater technical and material content. You may think you are an Ecowarriar but are you??

By: TheGiant

TheGiant — Thu, 17 May 2007 03:28:15 +0000

Jeff,
I bought a Camry Hybird, and bypassed a Prius. Reason? The steering. My wife received whiplash in a car accident, and the steering was too stiff for her in the Prius. The TCH has better fuel ratings than the regular 4-cyl Camry. In fact, we're getting ~40 mpg now. So I think the decision of a TCH over a Prius was a good one.