Tech | January 15, 2012 | 15 comments

21st-Century Fuel Economy Is The Star Of The Detroit Auto Show

source: http://thinkprogress.org/green/2012/01/13/404285/21st-century-fuel-economy-is-the-star-of-th...

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coolplanet
At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which opens to the public this weekend, advances in fuel economy are taking center stage. Thanks to aggressive leadership by the Obama administration, working in concert with the state of California and the unions and carmakers of the American auto industry, fuel economy standards are zooming toward an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. A Detroit Free Press editorial reports that the "new fuel economy standards have breathed new life into American automobile manufacturers, spurring them to innovate new technologies and new styles. Their new cars — which reduce our vulnerability to the whims of Big Oil and lessen dangerous pollution — will be able to compete on the international stage, which has much higher standards for fuel efficiency:

“Against the backdrop of the North American International Auto Show, which opens to the public Saturday, anything seems possible, including fuel efficiencies that seemed out of reach just a few years ago. The stylish introductions focused as much on engine and power configurations (hybrid, plug-in, turbocharged, direct injection, etc.) and weight-savings as they did on appearance.”

“This year’s auto show proves beyond all doubt that fuel efficiency is no longer just a euphemism for ‘econobox,’” writes the Detroit Free Press. “With the long-term planning horizon offered by the new fuel efficiency rules, automakers can do far more than survive. They can thrive, they can do it with style and — most important to everyone around here — build the cars that people want to buy.”

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15 comments // 21st-Century Fuel Economy Is The Star Of The Detroit Auto Show

  • AreOh
    • +3
      AreOh  

    • I'm with Jan on this one. We put a man on the moon back in the 60s and we're supposed to get excited about a car that does 50 odd miles to the gallon? This is a sign of stunted growth as opposed to progress.

    • 5 months ago
  • coolplanet
    • +1
      coolplanet  
    • AreOh:

      I do agree yet I see it as some progress. It was none other than Al Gore who pushed hybrid-electric vehicles in the 1990s and they've been on the market for only 12 years. It is the popularity of these vehicles that is driving research into new batteries that will eventually end the need for gas altogether but we are not quite there yet. Perhaps when pigs can fly.....;~)
      Meanwhile hybrids have cut emissions around the world and have raised awareness. As they say, it's like taking millions of cars off the road.
      And I give Al Gore lots of credit for this huge accomplishment!

    • 5 months ago
  • FoosMaster
    • +1
      FoosMaster  

    • We need 'Green' energy and better energy 'storage' devices (batteries) FAR more than we need better gas mileage. But at least we are moving forward, ehem, crawling forward.

    • 5 months ago
  • coolplanet
    • +1
      coolplanet  
    • FoosMaster:

      That day is fast approaching. The remarkable progress and popularity of hybrids and plug-ins over the past 10 years is mindblowing! It has significantly reduced carbon emissions and shown us that it is possible to phase out big oil. But let us not forget that plug-ins depend on electricity generated by coal burning power plants.

    • 5 months ago
  • FoosMaster
    • 0
      FoosMaster  
    • coolplanet:

      Yes, and that is why I was so pleased to read in an article here on Current a few days ago about a scientist that has Proven that the previously supposedly debunked science of “Cold Fusion” or something similar, has now been Proven to work. (http://current.com/technology/93617742_nasa-cold-fusion-lenr-a-game-changer.htm) We now need Massive research on this to develop the technology as fast as possible.
      I bet that until it is nearly in production the Oil companies will Never invest in that and will use their influence to stop or delay it as long as possible. Their Profits are Far more important to them than the good of the Planet and the People. I just hope that the technology will not be Stolen and destroyed by moneyed interests. I also feel that there Has been other technologies in the past that would have helped us move forward towards our goal of fossil fuel independence but those technologies have been purchased by the Oil barons and then completely destroyed or locked away by the Oil barons.

    • 5 months ago
  • DEM46
    • +1
      DEM46  

    • Until we make a "He-Man" full size truck or SUV that gets 35-40 Mpg. or gas goes to $5/gal. we won't make the ultimate difference we need to in the U.S.

      Too many people who aren't really hurting yet that "need" to drive a full-size pick up or SUV with a V8 that gets 14mpg if they keep their foot out of it. Many of these people really don't see gas as a problem. They just fill the tank and if it costs them an additional $200/month, oh well, that's the price of driving what they want when money really isn't an issue.

      I know many of these people and they really don't care because they have to pull a boat in summer, Snow mobiles in the winter, and occasionally haul a load of dirt or 6 people in their Suburban.

      Changing attitudes when money isn't an issue is very tough.

    • 5 months ago
  • JanforGore
    • +3
      JanforGore  

    • 2025? As emissions continue to rise. I wish I could be more enthused about this, but to me this is just a bandaid at this point. Especially when many of these cars are not even affordable to those who really need them.

    • 5 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
  • Swisher
  • MSII
  • coolplanet
    • +1
      coolplanet  
    • JanforGore:

      Many of these new hybrids get 50mpg in the city and cost under $20,000. They have significantly reduced the amount of CO2 spewed in the air, like removing millions of cars from the road.
      It was Al Gore who pushed hybrid-electric vehicles as vice President. GM wouldn't listen but the Japanese did. I think it's a huge success story.

    • 5 months ago
  • coolplanet
    • 0
      coolplanet  
    • Gravity_Man:

      You remind me of a popular question circulating the www a few years ago: "What would Jesus drive?" I liked the answer "a Honda Accord" because the Book of Acts says: "They were all together in one accord." ;)

    • 5 months ago
  • JanforGore
    • +1
      JanforGore  
    • coolplanet:

      Well when Al Gore was VP we were in a little bit better shape too. He also pushed for much more since and we have seen none of it. I think it's good to see them, I just think it's too little too late. They remove CO2 while other policies kept in place keep tarsands and coal spewing it which negates its effect. Don't mean to be a downer here, but that's the reality of it. We need a bit more boldness and consistency at this point to balance it out.

    • 5 months ago
  • Gravity_Man
    • 0
      Gravity_Man  
    • coolplanet:

      Actually I think Jesus would've picked one of the Honda Accords they accidentally let get sold [& went scrambling around to buy them back before anyone noticed they were getting 85 MILES PER GALLON].

      Only around 8-10 years ago. hahahaha Your nation's car companies have been working against you all along dearie, and they still are, even to this very day.

      Amen brothers & sisters. And so it will be tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, until hell freezes over with you all in it, and your children, and their children, AND EVERYBODY'S LITTLE CHILLUN.

      Unless Jesus comes and saves a Few out who were smart enough to see the real score and TAKE ACTION.

    • 5 months ago
  • coolplanet
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