Hybrid Automobiles May Keep Guzzlers Running
An interest to note: I found repeatedly mentioned on the Internet reveals that for "…every Ford Escape Hybrid bought from the hybrid auto market, car manufacturers makes room for a Lincoln Navigator". Yes, that's inconveniently right. And you can guess what would that mean, that well meant people who bought hybrid cars for the sake of positive externality and such, such as the nation saving on gas; they are only passing the right to use gasoline for somebody else.
By 1978, while it was still a time when hybrid cars are just some random engineer's ‘affectionate' dream, the Congress had set a stringent minimum standard for Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) to all car manufacturers. Application of the bill today however, is flawed at best, obviously because hybrid automobiles consumes less points to the CAFE than what was previously calculated. So now, there goes the Ford Escape Hybrid and its low fuel consumption becoming a ticket for the car manufacturer to sell yet another car, but probably a fuel chomping, thirsty monster Lincoln Navigator, whose market today is still high. The Toyota Highlander hybrid auto paves the way for yet another guzzler Lexus SUV.
There's the hidden flaw in the US government policy. No wonder hybrid automobiles never seem make a dent to the US average consumption on oil, in spite of its relatively high sales for several years. And you should know by now that while car manufacturers are aggressively showcasing the newest trend, the hybrid automobiles, it is still on family friendly, all American SUVs the common public cash their money in. Despite the rising sales figures hybrids are reported to make.
Come the year 2007, several hybrid automobiles are being introduced, and particularly the all-new Hybrid SUV models that should draw the attention of the bigger portion of gas-guzzlers loving general populace. A big relief from the Ford Escape Hybrid disappointment, these new Hybrid SUVs are better at offering substantial miles per gallon, better at offering off road and load capacity, much like sports utility vehicles should be.
How about the CAFE? I've heard talks in the Congress to adapt a better policy that would supplement the country's need for automobiles with better emissions. But as expected with government rules changes, this won't be handed out until probably late this year. So for the meantime, while you see a new mint condition hybrid automobile rolling by your window, expect another fuel guzzler rolling out of the car shop.
