Is it a valid question or just another case election vote buying?
McCain recently proposeda federal "gas-tax holiday" that would suspend the 18.5-cent federal gas tax, as well as the 24.4-cent diesel tax, from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Clinton supported McCain's proposal. She suggested paying for the holiday with taxes on oil companies with record profits.
Obama has proposed the feds do nothing. He believes a tax holiday would do nothing to lower gas prices in the long term and could raise gas prices by encouraging more people to drive.
Rising gas prices will slow the economy down but will encourage the purchase of Green Cars, public transportation and alternative fuels. Our prices are still significantly lower than European prices, why can't we be competitive at the same prices?
Which would you rather have? A tax break at the pumps or let prices climb as usual.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
2008 Presidential Candidates Positions
Obama: Seems to be a 'Johnny come lately' regarding the environment and fuel efficient cars. Has no serious record prior to running for presidency. Gave up his gas guzzler in Oct2007 after he realized it was politcally incorrect. I haven't heard too many specifics from his speeches on what he will do, generally he claims he will just support the developement of better cars and ethanol, yadda, yadda. He does want to change the tax credit for hybrid vehicles so that there is no cap by manufacturer.
Hilary Clinton: Seems to have a longer track record than any other canidate and has put forth specific plans to advance fuel efficiency and energy independence.
From http://www.hybridcar.com/index.php?opti ... 1&Itemid=2
Investing $2 billion in hybrid car battery research
Adding 100,000 PHEVs to the federal fleet by 2015
Offering consumers tax credits of up to $10,000 for purchasing a plug-in hybrid
John McCain: at least he acknowleges green house gas problems, this rufflers many nay sayers in the Republcan camp. He wishes to reduce foreign oil dependency, thinks Detroit can do a better job producing more fuel efficienct vehicles and promote hydrogen & ethanol fuel, no specific plans to back that up. Inadvertently he could be the greatest proponent of fuel efficient vehicles and reducing green house gases. He is a firm believer in nuclear power as the main way to energy independence, something no other leader would dare say, even though its the only realistic solution. The next generation of plug in hybrids will need to get their electricity somewhere's - like coal and oil powered electrical plants. McCain would supply those plug-ins power from nuclear power, thus reducing foreign oil dependency and eliminating green house gas production.
Staff, Green Cars Now
Hilary Clinton: Seems to have a longer track record than any other canidate and has put forth specific plans to advance fuel efficiency and energy independence.
From http://www.hybridcar.com/index.php?opti ... 1&Itemid=2
Investing $2 billion in hybrid car battery research
Adding 100,000 PHEVs to the federal fleet by 2015
Offering consumers tax credits of up to $10,000 for purchasing a plug-in hybrid
John McCain: at least he acknowleges green house gas problems, this rufflers many nay sayers in the Republcan camp. He wishes to reduce foreign oil dependency, thinks Detroit can do a better job producing more fuel efficienct vehicles and promote hydrogen & ethanol fuel, no specific plans to back that up. Inadvertently he could be the greatest proponent of fuel efficient vehicles and reducing green house gases. He is a firm believer in nuclear power as the main way to energy independence, something no other leader would dare say, even though its the only realistic solution. The next generation of plug in hybrids will need to get their electricity somewhere's - like coal and oil powered electrical plants. McCain would supply those plug-ins power from nuclear power, thus reducing foreign oil dependency and eliminating green house gas production.
Staff, Green Cars Now
Monday, January 7, 2008
Top Environmental Politican of 2007
People and environemntal groups talk about reducing greenhouse gases and tough laws to curb auto emissions and increase fuel efficiency but only one politician appeared to actually accomplish serious progress on this, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
He drafted legislation to curb greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency at nearly double the rate the federal government and EPA set a goal for. The Bush administration recently went to the trouble of shutting this progress down by denying states the abilty to regulate such things, claiming it's better to have a national strategy rather than on a state by state basis, even though the national standard is much less demanding.
Our favorite Hummer owner now plans to sue the federal government over its decision not to allow a California plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
I cannot think of any politician creating more legislation to increase fuel efficiency, curb greenhouse gases and fight the Bush administartion. Can anyone else suggest a challenger to the throne of America's best 'Environmental Politican for 2007'.
Staff, GreenCarsNow.com , a website advocating fuel efficiency in automobiles, alternative fuels and energy independence.
He drafted legislation to curb greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency at nearly double the rate the federal government and EPA set a goal for. The Bush administration recently went to the trouble of shutting this progress down by denying states the abilty to regulate such things, claiming it's better to have a national strategy rather than on a state by state basis, even though the national standard is much less demanding.
Our favorite Hummer owner now plans to sue the federal government over its decision not to allow a California plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
I cannot think of any politician creating more legislation to increase fuel efficiency, curb greenhouse gases and fight the Bush administartion. Can anyone else suggest a challenger to the throne of America's best 'Environmental Politican for 2007'.
Staff, GreenCarsNow.com , a website advocating fuel efficiency in automobiles, alternative fuels and energy independence.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Gasoline Detergents Standard Improves Mileage
Your local gas station probably offers you 3 levels of gasoline. These typically have different levels of octane in them and you will generally get a little better mileage for the more expensive type.
There are many different additives that can be in a companies brand of gasoline. This differentiation can have a big impact on your vehicle.
One type of additive is a detergent which cleans your engine. Without some level of detergents engine deposits form and this causes reduced engine performance.
In 1994 four auto manufacturers (BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota) recognized the gasoline marketers were not putting enough detergents in their gasoline and the U.S. EPA was not mandating a high enough minimum standard. In fact, after the EPA set a minimum standard gasoline producers reduced the amount of detergents in their gas because the standard was so low.
Vehicle owners were left suffering with reduced engine power, reduced fuel efficiency, increased driving upsets (rough idle, stalling and surge), decreased acceleration and increased emissions.
These four automakers decided to do something about the lack of detergents and poor running vehicles created their own class of gasoline called 'Top Tier Detergent Gasoline'. To meet this qualification gasolines require a higher level of detergents.
In 1994 a few gasoline distributors adopted this new industry standard and since then it has expanded to many retailers like: QuikTrip, Chevron, Conoco, Phillips, 76, Shell, Entec Stations, MFA Oil Company, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, The Somerset Refinery, Chevron-Canada, Aloha Petroleum, Tri-Par Oil Company, Shell-Canada, Texaco, Petro-Canada and Sunoco-Canada.
I discovered this gas by trying the 'silver' gas out at Shell. I thought it would increase performance for only one tank of gas due to the higher octane. Surprisingly, later fillups with the cheaper bronze gasoline still saw a 5% increase in mileage, not bad for an aging 5 year old car.
By P. Fezziwig, contributor to Green Cars Now , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and Car Repair Ratings, a consumer ratings site on mechanics.
There are many different additives that can be in a companies brand of gasoline. This differentiation can have a big impact on your vehicle.
One type of additive is a detergent which cleans your engine. Without some level of detergents engine deposits form and this causes reduced engine performance.
In 1994 four auto manufacturers (BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota) recognized the gasoline marketers were not putting enough detergents in their gasoline and the U.S. EPA was not mandating a high enough minimum standard. In fact, after the EPA set a minimum standard gasoline producers reduced the amount of detergents in their gas because the standard was so low.
Vehicle owners were left suffering with reduced engine power, reduced fuel efficiency, increased driving upsets (rough idle, stalling and surge), decreased acceleration and increased emissions.
These four automakers decided to do something about the lack of detergents and poor running vehicles created their own class of gasoline called 'Top Tier Detergent Gasoline'. To meet this qualification gasolines require a higher level of detergents.
In 1994 a few gasoline distributors adopted this new industry standard and since then it has expanded to many retailers like: QuikTrip, Chevron, Conoco, Phillips, 76, Shell, Entec Stations, MFA Oil Company, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, The Somerset Refinery, Chevron-Canada, Aloha Petroleum, Tri-Par Oil Company, Shell-Canada, Texaco, Petro-Canada and Sunoco-Canada.
I discovered this gas by trying the 'silver' gas out at Shell. I thought it would increase performance for only one tank of gas due to the higher octane. Surprisingly, later fillups with the cheaper bronze gasoline still saw a 5% increase in mileage, not bad for an aging 5 year old car.
By P. Fezziwig, contributor to Green Cars Now , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and Car Repair Ratings, a consumer ratings site on mechanics.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Automakers Forced Into Fuel Efficiency
The minimum fuel efficiency standard for a car manufactures fleet of cars is set by CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy). First created in the 1970’s, this standard was 27 mpg.
Falling below this standard results in fines which some high end manufacturers like Lanborghini and BMW don't mind as their high prices can absorb it. For most major car producers these fines are a big deterent With no change in the 27 mpg standard for decades it was easy for them to achieve.
American automakers successfully lobbied to keep this 27 mpg standard from increasing for nearly 30 years. Publicly they argued raising it would be bad for their business as the gas guzzlers have higher profit margins than smaller, thrifty fuel efficient cars and hybrids. Despite decreasing market share and massive layoffs for the last 10 years they (Ford, GM, Chrysler) still lobby against large increases to CAFE, although they have suggested a 30 mpg by 2020 update.
In light of Toyota’s and Honda’s tremendous sales success with fuel efficient cars the public and federal politicians have largely begun to disagree with Detroit’s point of view and to the automakers surprise the Senate passed a bill in June 2007 to increase the CAFE standard to 35 mpg by 2020.
To become law the bill now needs to pass in the Senate, which has a large democratic majority and perhaps it’s strongest support. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has already voiced her support and suggested it will pass any week now.
While not a big 2008 presidential issue at least one candidate proposed a CAFE update, Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd proposed increasing the standard to 50 mpg by 2017. He also proposed making the entire federal fleet of cars fuel efficient. With a customer of that size demanding these cars imagine how fast they would develop.
The bill will also provide for grants and loans for companies to develop technologies to meet the new standards. With 13 years to meet the new standards even the Big 3 should be able to adjust in time.
I expect 40+ mpg now in any new car for a reasonable price. Anything under 30mpg is considered poor by today’s standards, by 2020 it will hopefully by a joke. I can see teenagers of 2020 listening to parents talk of their old cars getting 27mpg, they’ll just shake their head and laugh in amazement, and maybe ask how you can produce a car that gets less than 100mpg.
---------
P.Fezziwg , administrator for Green Cars Now, a website advocating fuel efficient vehicles and cleaner emmssions.
Falling below this standard results in fines which some high end manufacturers like Lanborghini and BMW don't mind as their high prices can absorb it. For most major car producers these fines are a big deterent With no change in the 27 mpg standard for decades it was easy for them to achieve.
American automakers successfully lobbied to keep this 27 mpg standard from increasing for nearly 30 years. Publicly they argued raising it would be bad for their business as the gas guzzlers have higher profit margins than smaller, thrifty fuel efficient cars and hybrids. Despite decreasing market share and massive layoffs for the last 10 years they (Ford, GM, Chrysler) still lobby against large increases to CAFE, although they have suggested a 30 mpg by 2020 update.
In light of Toyota’s and Honda’s tremendous sales success with fuel efficient cars the public and federal politicians have largely begun to disagree with Detroit’s point of view and to the automakers surprise the Senate passed a bill in June 2007 to increase the CAFE standard to 35 mpg by 2020.
To become law the bill now needs to pass in the Senate, which has a large democratic majority and perhaps it’s strongest support. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has already voiced her support and suggested it will pass any week now.
While not a big 2008 presidential issue at least one candidate proposed a CAFE update, Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd proposed increasing the standard to 50 mpg by 2017. He also proposed making the entire federal fleet of cars fuel efficient. With a customer of that size demanding these cars imagine how fast they would develop.
The bill will also provide for grants and loans for companies to develop technologies to meet the new standards. With 13 years to meet the new standards even the Big 3 should be able to adjust in time.
I expect 40+ mpg now in any new car for a reasonable price. Anything under 30mpg is considered poor by today’s standards, by 2020 it will hopefully by a joke. I can see teenagers of 2020 listening to parents talk of their old cars getting 27mpg, they’ll just shake their head and laugh in amazement, and maybe ask how you can produce a car that gets less than 100mpg.
---------
P.Fezziwg , administrator for Green Cars Now, a website advocating fuel efficient vehicles and cleaner emmssions.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
UK Government Tough On Hybrids But Public Loves Them
Not to be outdone by American lobby groups the UK powers that be are trying to slow down hybrid car sales.
Toyota was recently ordered to pull a commercial that stated their cars produce up to one ton less CO2 a year compared to similar non hybrid cars.
Toyota's claim was based on the average driver riding 20000Km a year, which is the American standard, but in the UK it's only 13000Km, hence they were accused of making an unbelievable exageration. While the commercial did say 'up to 1 ton less' they were still forced to stop showing the commercial.
I personally hate it when people advertise 'up to 80% off on selected items' and can never find these items for sale, not enough to ask them to pulls the ads though. There seems to be a double standard here. If one company cannot say 'up to' then be consistant and make nearly every other business do the same. Why only Toyota?
Despite this foolish incedent you'll be happy to know hybrid car sales are skyrocketing in the UK, Toyota sales increased by 200% between 2005/2006 and they expect a 90% increase this year. Honda estimates this years sales to be around 500% better than last year.
For more news and events on fuel efficient cars and alternative fuels visit Green Cars Now.
Toyota was recently ordered to pull a commercial that stated their cars produce up to one ton less CO2 a year compared to similar non hybrid cars.
Toyota's claim was based on the average driver riding 20000Km a year, which is the American standard, but in the UK it's only 13000Km, hence they were accused of making an unbelievable exageration. While the commercial did say 'up to 1 ton less' they were still forced to stop showing the commercial.
I personally hate it when people advertise 'up to 80% off on selected items' and can never find these items for sale, not enough to ask them to pulls the ads though. There seems to be a double standard here. If one company cannot say 'up to' then be consistant and make nearly every other business do the same. Why only Toyota?
Despite this foolish incedent you'll be happy to know hybrid car sales are skyrocketing in the UK, Toyota sales increased by 200% between 2005/2006 and they expect a 90% increase this year. Honda estimates this years sales to be around 500% better than last year.
For more news and events on fuel efficient cars and alternative fuels visit Green Cars Now.
Honda to discontinue hybrid Accord sedan
With gas prices soaring you would think all hybrid vehicles would be enjoying great sales figures.
The Honda hybrid Accord sedan bucked the trend so much so that Honda will discontinue it's hybrid version of the car.
Hybrid car owners apparently want great gas mileage, not just pretty good mileage.
Honda's own smaller Civic sedan gets about 49 mpg and the Accord is around 28mpg and nearly 9G's more expensive ($31,000) which doesn't fit well with many consumers. For hybrid car enthusiasts 28mpg doesn't cut it as they would rather sacrifice size for a smaller car getting great mileage.
Their main competitor, the Toyota Camry hybrid gets about 40 miles per gallon and has a $26,000 price which didn't help matters. Looks like another TKO by Toyota, this time over a competing hybrid rather than a gas guzzler.
Staff, Green Cars Now , a website promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.
The Honda hybrid Accord sedan bucked the trend so much so that Honda will discontinue it's hybrid version of the car.
Hybrid car owners apparently want great gas mileage, not just pretty good mileage.
Honda's own smaller Civic sedan gets about 49 mpg and the Accord is around 28mpg and nearly 9G's more expensive ($31,000) which doesn't fit well with many consumers. For hybrid car enthusiasts 28mpg doesn't cut it as they would rather sacrifice size for a smaller car getting great mileage.
Their main competitor, the Toyota Camry hybrid gets about 40 miles per gallon and has a $26,000 price which didn't help matters. Looks like another TKO by Toyota, this time over a competing hybrid rather than a gas guzzler.
Staff, Green Cars Now , a website promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.
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