On the Road to Global Warming
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 06.30.06
In an effort to help persuade federal regulators to raise fuel efficiency standards for automobiles, Environmental Defense released a report entitled ' Global Warming on the Road’. Their findings suggest that cars driven in the U.S. are responsible for roughly half of the global greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. This is true, despite the fact that the nation’s vehicles account for 30% of the roughly 700 million cars operating worldwide. Environmental Defense attributes this to more miles driven, lower fuel economy standards, and the use of more carbon intensive fuels. According to the report, “U.S. cars and light trucks were driven 2.6 trillion miles in 2004, equal to driving back and forth to Pluto more than 470 times”. Surprisingly, small cars were found to emit more carbon dioxide than SUVs. The lead author of the report suggests that this is due to the fact that there is a greater number of older small vehicles with higher emissions still on the road. See also ::Biobutonal: A Superior, Renewable Substitute for Gasoline and ::Who Killed the Electric Car?, ::THTV: Who Killed the Electric Car?
Does anyone know if there will be a 2007 model Prius and if so when we can expect it? With all the other Hybrids coming to market, the Prius is still miles ahead in Miles per Gallon (ha ha! get it?) over the competition.
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editor note: AFAIK the 2007 Prius will be pretty much the same as the 2006 model. I think the completely redesigned version will come out in 2008 as a 2009 model.
Thanks Ed; It's so hard to commit to a hybrid car / hybrid technology when there could be a better much more dramatic technology just a year or two away. No wonder there are so many "older compact cars" on the road. I'm a fan of better mileage per hour and environmental impact and even I have trouble commiting so much money to something that could be outdated before I even pay off the note. And all these darn car manufacturers are so tight lipped about their secret developments, it doesn't make it any easier.
Thanks, :j
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editor note: We'll keep you updated on the latest developments here at TreeHugger ;)
But the best place for in depth green transportation stuff is probably GreenCarCongress.com