Weak coffee at the CAFE

Letter to the New York Times

submitted December 1, 2007 in response to an article (click for full article) reporting on legislation to increase auto efficiency standards

Contrary to the assertion reported in the Times, the automotive fuel efficiency standards wending their way through Congress would not "force wrenching changes on the American car companies." The handwriting has been on the petroleum wall ever since our existing standards were enacted nearly a quarter century ago. The technology to meet the proposed standards is not only proven, but available to consumers throughout the rest of the world. The proposed legislation calls for only a 27% increase in automobile efficiency over the 36 years since the existing standards were set, a rather paltry improvement considering that even China is already there, and the Europeans are already 14% better. The only real questions are why such belated action is even controversial, and why stronger efficiency standards aren't even on the table.

Note: this was originally posted on ketches, yaks & hawks 1 December 2007