Originally Posted by
EAHINC
I'm European, Norwegian actually, yes we have been driving vehicles for decades at 30-40 mpg. These vehicles are mostly diesel powered. I think its safe to mention on approximately 50% of the autos in Europe are diesel powered.
We also have old/small roads in most urban areas and this contributed to a steady growth of small cars. not big SUVs. Small cars were developed for these tight parking and small streets. I believe most Europeans would love to have an SUV, however they won't acknowledge it in public.
Unfortunately, the expensive and mandated environmental policy that has taken hold in the last twenty years in Europe was only really possible because we always had access to a viable public train and bus system. European culture is totally different than North America. We also have hundred of thousands of Bicyles with riders riding to work everyday in the rain. I don't understand why people envy this lifestyle.
Yes, Europe looks very tempting to an increasing gullible American public. I can guarantee you Europe is very inconvient and expensive for personal living. Its hard to really get ahead. Please don't look at us as a role model on most economic, social and environmental policy unless you like socialism.
Energy efficiency, not conservation is what should be the goal. Oil industry is like most industries with a cyclical flow of peaks and valley.
The sky is not falling but I think the price of oil and gold will.
EAHINC
Actually, I'm not a gullible American. I have lived in Europe and traveled there and have a large number of family members there. And you are right socialism seems to be taking hold over there. However, my point was not to become a socialist nation, it is that cars can be built to attain better gas mileage, despite the claims by Detroit that it will cause extreme economic hardship.
As far as mass transit goes, sign me up. The amount of money I save bu utilizing mass transit is encouragement enough. For those who do not wish to use it that's just fine too.
My point still stands though. I sit here thinking with absolutely no numbers to back me up other than a little bit of logic. If half of the people in the U.S. who were in an economic situation to do so, were to purchase a higher milleage vehicle, not even a hybrid or pure electric, the short term demand for gasoline could go down significantly. On top of that, with more of these vehicles being built the price will eventually come down as the technology becomes cheaper. Just look at the cost of a hybrid car here as compared to five years ago.
Quite frankly I am confused by your last statement. How are efficiency and conservation different? If I efficiently use the gasoline I am putting into my car, does that not conserve said supply for further use? Or put another way, If I file for FL390 in order to run the engines efficiently, does that not conserve fuel for when the Washington center insists that I descend to 11000 ft. 300 miles from destination?