Obama comes out for high fuel efficiency cars. Some will think this is so bad. Afterall, think of the regulations!
But technology happens. Wireless phones, flat panel tvs, tv broadcasting to cable tv to downloadable internet choice...all start a bit more expensive and ultimately innovation is good for the customer, the producer and capitalism. And today, society isn't struggling under the weight of expensive phones. The problem is that after 100 years, auto manufacturering relative to most other technologies is ancient. The industry is the problem. Even think of the rocket, which wasn't even on the map...technology improved to where it took us to the moon...and this all over 50 years ago. In the end, I wouldn't be surprised if increased independence on fuel would further reduce the need for the military needed to be 'comfortable' that we can defend our precious overseas oil interests. And allow for lower taxes all by itself.
Anyways, Obama makes a gutsy move here. In one statement, he's solidified a policy beyond what Romney has, can or will do on almost any topic. This during the GOP convention.
Obama calls for cars to get almost 55 mpg
LA Times
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration announced fuel economy standards Tuesday that would require car makers to almost double the average gas mileage for passenger vehicles to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
The final rules mark the latest step in a lengthy campaign by the administration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption and are the highest fuel efficiency standards in U.S. history.
With an eye to the looming presidential election, the White House touted the standards as a boost for middle-class consumers. "These fuel standards represent the single most important step we've ever taken to reduce our dependence on foreign oil," President Obama said.
While automobile manufacturers welcomed the new rules, auto dealers decried them. The dealers association contends that the 2025 rules would drive up the average vehicle sticker price by $3,000. The administration says that at most, it could be as high as $1,800 and would likely be offset by $8,000 in gas savings over the lifetime of the vehicle.
The fuel economy rules would reduce the price of gasoline by about $1 per gallon, the administration estimated. They would also cut oil consumption by more than 2 million barrels a day by 2025, helping to curtail U.S. reliance on foreign oil.
Environmentalists welcomed the rules as the single biggest step any country had taken to reduce emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, which scientists say are the biggest contributor to climate change.
