ALT-3 Understanding Fuel Economy
Size really does matter! That is a statement that is closely related to fuel economy. As Americans, we often think that, because we live in the richest country on earth, we should be able to drive any size luxury car we want to. The latest trend is SUV's most of which are the poorest in fuel economy because of their size and power. Most SUV's are four wheel drive but never leave the paved roads and typically are used to commute to work for one person. When used in area that has a lot of mud or a foot of snow, it is more understandable that this type of vehicle is necessary.
Americans waste more fuel than any other nation. Americans could conserve energy by driving smaller vehicles when they are just commuting back and forth to work. Saving the four wheel drives for towing or construction work where they are really needed. In 1991 regular gasoline was 79 cents a gallon but now days it cost about 3 dollars a gallon and most Americans are outraged at how expensive it is to fill up their SUV's
When the price of gas goes up so do the the basic necessities, everyone needs to survive, because of the price to truck it into the local markets. The government should give incentives to install trains or monorails for high speed transportation. Then most of our goods should be hauled on the trains or monorails which would cut back on the consumption of gasoline. That in turn would allow the country to get rid of the eight lane highways that surround most of our large cities and create pollution. Going back to the two lanes roads which take up less space, which means the excess land could be sold to private businesses or individuals. This would give the government money to help pay down the national debt.
The government could then give part of the money, that used to go for maintaining so many highways, as incentives for improving new technologies such as solar, and hybrid cars. This would bring down the price on alternative cars, to replace the gas guzzlers we currently have. thus in turn, cutting down on America's dependency on foreign oil. Gas in most other countries is five dollars or more per gallon. The main difference between America and European countries is that they have mass transit. Mass transit reduces the need for individuals to depend on paying that price for ever day transportation. Most Americans however are not ready to give up their cars, but a lot of them would trade it, in for a smaller, more economical one. Everyone must sacrifice some for the greater good of the country.
