tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post5975786779138207196..comments2024-02-23T11:23:45.971-05:00Comments on Lost Motorcyclist: The Invisible Hand that Cleaned Up the EnvironmentLost Motorcyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08873504561959138792noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2156536327610779049.post-11450706897150107232010-04-26T18:45:57.884-04:002010-04-26T18:45:57.884-04:00In the 1960s average fuel 'economy' of the...In the 1960s average fuel 'economy' of the North American new car fleet was in the order of <a href="http://www.fas.org/ota/reports/9125.pdf" rel="nofollow">14 miles per gallon</a>.<br /><br />The U.S. passed the 1975 <a href="http://uspolitics.about.com/od/energy/i/cafe_standards.htm" rel="nofollow">Energy Policy Conservation Act</a> mandating corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards which would double fuel economy by 1985 (to 28 MPG).<br /><br />The auto manufacturers, oil interests, and other vested interests gamed the system, with the result that fleet economy numbers peaked in 1987 (at 27 MPG) and have since been virtually unchanged.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pewfuelefficiency.org/docs/cafe_history.pdf" rel="nofollow">This graph</a> displays just how little real progress has been made since 1987.<br /><br />Yes, tailpipe emissions may have become cleaner since the 1970s, but the key measurement remains <b>fuel economy</b>. And North Americans' performance on that score has been <b>abysmal</b>!<br /><br />It is quite possible to achieve significantly more than 30 MPG, as <a href="http://www.wearemetro.com/volkswagen/green/tank-wars/" rel="nofollow">this demonstrates</a> ... <b>68 MPG</b> ... with comfort and performance!Madeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593933575568389288noreply@blogger.com