Friday, May 16, 2008

Dealing with high fuel prices, part 1

Where are most of us feeling the biggest pinch from expensive oil? At the gas station when we're filling up our cars. What's the best way to deal with this? Figure out a way to make those cars need less oil. Then figure out a way to drive on no oil at all. And while we're at it, put those Saudis out of business.

REINVENT THE CAR

a. Start by conserving fuel with higher fuel efficiency standards.
  • Deploy technology like low rolling resistance tires, a Michelin invention that saves gas.
b. Use clean diesel.
  • BMW will soon be making cars in Spartanburg with 35 mile per gallon clean diesel engines.
c. Expand tax incentives for gas-electric hybrids.
  • BMW has announced that its first gas-electric hybrid will be made in Spartanburg!
d. Create incentives for plug-in hybrids.

e. Develop cellulosic ethanol, moving away from corn-based ethanol which has fuel competing against food.

f . Make a moon shot, within-the-decade commitment to:
  • Better batteries that charge within minutes; hold charge for hundreds of miles; and are made of elements found within the U.S.
  • Better solar panels that more efficiently convert sunlight into electricity.
  • Hydrogen—the most magnificent portable fuel.
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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Why continue to offer incentives to companies to produce more fuel efficient or hybrid cars? Why raise fuel efficiency standards? Certainly gas is expensive, but if the vast majority of Americans still refuse to change their habits or buy more fuel efficient cars, it's obviously not high enough yet. Manipulation of the market is not the way to go.

May 22, 2008 at 9:42 PM

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