For the sake of natural resources and the welfare and prosperity of the population, motor vehicle fuel economy and emission standards must be raised. The dangerous and complicated problems that we face both today and tomorrow with motor vehicles should not be ignored and cast aside, but solved as soon as possible. American car culture is deeply embedded in everyday life, making the option of widespread conversion to public transportation nearly impossible. Instead, new technologies and modernization of older ones will lead society to safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective ways to coexist with the motor vehicles we are all so attached to.
[...] History shows that automakers will not improve environmental performance of their products unless they are required to put technology to work. They continue to fight higher fuel economy standard, taking their claims to friends in Congress. In 1995, Congress froze Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards at levels set decades ago, using a which shut out any apportionment of the budget for setting new CAFÉ standards (The Biggest). CAFÉ standards, auto-vehicle requirements for average mpg, were introduced in 1975 to alleviate our oil dependence, but because of people driving farther and the rising proportion of inefficient SUVs and other light trucks, the benefits are being eroded. [...]
[...] cities and several states had auto inspection programs (Plain English Guide). Also, the EPA has recently targeted diesel-powered buses in adopting new rules for emission standards. Pennsylvania Interest Research Group (PIRG) clarifies: starting in 2007, diesel-powered buses and heavy-duty trucks' emissions will be reduced by ninety percent. The EPA attacks diesel pollution in two ways. First, manufacturers will soon have to produce engines that burn far more cleanly. Second, the new standards call for oil producers to remove all sulfur from diesel, stopping sulfur's clogging of pollution control devices, and discontinuing its contribution to smog. [...]
[...] Also, transit authorities' use of such alternative fuel buses can generate cost savings. A CNG bus will save one hundred and ninety thousand gallons of diesel fuel compared to its diesel counterpart (Exhausted). The main setback for these fuels is the initial price, but federal, state, and local funds are available to offset these higher costs. Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV's) are a huge problem that America will be forced to confront within the next few years. Redesigning these gigantic, gas-guzzling, grimy vehicles is a vital step to curb global warming and save oil. [...]
[...] Human existence on this planet is in a fragile balance, and if we do not learn to clean up after ourselves better than we do now, we shall certainly face self-inflicted extinction. Works Cited American Honda. Honda-Designed Fuel Cell Added to California Fuel Cell Vehicle Demonstration Program” Feb Feb < http:>. Coalition for Clean Air, National Resources Defense Council. “Tests Reveal High Levels of Toxics Inside Diesel School Buses”. Feb Feb < http:>. Coalition for Clean Air, Natural Resources Defense Council. “Exhausted by Diesel”. [...]
[...] There are no harmful emissions or smog produced, in fact the fuel cell engine produces pure and potable water (Chris Hayday). Currently, the main objective of fuel cell projects is to work cooperatively to lay a foundation for future fuel cell commercialization (New Honda). Ford and Honda have both developed their own fuel cell engine car, but have yet to release it to the market. Developing an infrastructure for providing hydrogen is the main challenge, but with enough development and expansion, the benefits of fuel cell technology will soon be attained. [...]
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