Comments on: EPA Okays Stronger Auto Emissions Standards Now in CA, 13 Other States http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/30/epa-okays-stronger-auto-emissions-standards-now-in-ca-13-other-states/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: DJB http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/30/epa-okays-stronger-auto-emissions-standards-now-in-ca-13-other-states/comment-page-1/#comment-9041 DJB Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:52:26 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2861#comment-9041 It takes time for new regulations to have an effect, time we don't really have if we want to head off the worst effects of climate change. The CA regulations say 35.5 MPG on average by 2016 (I believe this is for cars by the way, not trucks and SUVs). Even by 2016 it's not like all cars on the road are going to magically get 35.5 MPG overnight. It takes time for the existing fleet be replaced by new vehicles. Furthermore, CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) is an average. There is no guarantee that consumers will decide to buy the cars that get at or above average fuel economy. They might prefer the cars that are below average. Given that this is America, where horsepower still tends to be more important to people than the environment, I'd say that's pretty likely. By contrast, raising gasoline taxes has immediate and long term benefits. Everybody has an immediate incentive to drive less (which reduces pollution and strengthens other modes of transportation) when gasoline is more expensive, no matter what they drive. When they buy a new car, truck, or SUV they will be more likely to think about the cost of gas. If we really expect to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 to stop climate change, we're going to have to get serious and figure out how to build the will to make gasoline more expensive. Raising CAFE is a start, but I fear it won't be enough. It takes time for new regulations to have an effect, time we don’t really have if we want to head off the worst effects of climate change. The CA regulations say 35.5 MPG on average by 2016 (I believe this is for cars by the way, not trucks and SUVs). Even by 2016 it’s not like all cars on the road are going to magically get 35.5 MPG overnight. It takes time for the existing fleet be replaced by new vehicles.

Furthermore, CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) is an average. There is no guarantee that consumers will decide to buy the cars that get at or above average fuel economy. They might prefer the cars that are below average. Given that this is America, where horsepower still tends to be more important to people than the environment, I’d say that’s pretty likely.

By contrast, raising gasoline taxes has immediate and long term benefits. Everybody has an immediate incentive to drive less (which reduces pollution and strengthens other modes of transportation) when gasoline is more expensive, no matter what they drive. When they buy a new car, truck, or SUV they will be more likely to think about the cost of gas.

If we really expect to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 to stop climate change, we’re going to have to get serious and figure out how to build the will to make gasoline more expensive. Raising CAFE is a start, but I fear it won’t be enough.

]]> By: DJB http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/30/epa-okays-stronger-auto-emissions-standards-now-in-ca-13-other-states/comment-page-1/#comment-9031 DJB Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:38:11 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=2861#comment-9031 As important as this is to foster the development of more efficient cars, like plug-in hybrids, and electric cars, I'm part of the school of thought that says that it would be easier to green the fleet through taxes on the dirty fuel(s) instead of regulations on the average fuel economy of a manufacturer. If you're bored some time, compare the websites of any car company in the U.S. where gasoline taxes are low, to the same websites in a country like the UK, where gasoline taxes are high. It's like night and day. The cars sold in the UK, even by firms like Ford and GM are much more efficient than the cars sold here. Raise taxes on gasoline and consumers will make better choices about what cars to buy, or not buy. Just don't ask me how to build the political will :) As important as this is to foster the development of more efficient cars, like plug-in hybrids, and electric cars, I’m part of the school of thought that says that it would be easier to green the fleet through taxes on the dirty fuel(s) instead of regulations on the average fuel economy of a manufacturer.

If you’re bored some time, compare the websites of any car company in the U.S. where gasoline taxes are low, to the same websites in a country like the UK, where gasoline taxes are high. It’s like night and day. The cars sold in the UK, even by firms like Ford and GM are much more efficient than the cars sold here.

Raise taxes on gasoline and consumers will make better choices about what cars to buy, or not buy. Just don’t ask me how to build the political will :)

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