Has There Been a Better Enviromental President Since Gerald Ford?

Pinto Girl · Dec 28, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Dec 28 2006, 08:13 PM) [snapback]367883[/snapback]</div>

Excellent point!

The average US car went from 0 to 60 in 15 seconds - I don't know the average for 2006, but a Prius can do it in 10-11 seconds and that is considered slow. :blink:

Just saw a review of the 25mpg Chevy Aveo - my 1974 Opel Manta subcompact could do that! OK, the Aveo probably has better acceleration. In the 1980's, a number of subcompacts got over 40mpg - Tercel, Nissians, Civics, CRX, the Chevy Metro, the TDI....hardly any non-hybrid subcompact does that today. The three gas-robbing suspects:

1. Greater safety standards (no objections)
2. More automatic transmissions (5-speeds are fun! In a non-hybrid - what's the problem....cell phones? )
3. Performance
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Regarding point #2...actually, what you suggest appears to be true! Just read an article somewhere about this; the inability to talk on a cellphone was the #1 reason for the demise of the manual transmission, followed by being able to hold hands/hold whatver other part of your passenger's anatomy (#2), and being able to eat/apply makeup/shave etc. while driving was listed as #3.

Chuck. · Dec 28, 2006

Thank you Pinto Girl for bringing the thread on topic!

I started a thread ( http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=27818 ) for those desiring to discuss the non-enviromental actions of the Ford Administration.

fshagan · Dec 29, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Dec 28 2006, 04:10 PM) [snapback]367874[/snapback]</div>

Getting us back on topic, I'd humbly suggest that the original CAFE legislation was the BEST thing that happened to the auto industry in the latter half of the 20th Century.

Not only did it at least open a discussion about economy and emissions, but it forced the development of technology that's given us not only cars that are lots cleaner, but lots more powerful and LOTS more drivable (remember how badly mid 70's cars drove when cold, for example?)

And, even though it's sort of been perverted by an extreme emphasis on power instead of economy (if you recall, back in the early/mid 80's, the then "hot" new Mustang GT with the performance enhanced 302 V8 offered initially a grand total of 157 horsepower. That's only just over 0.5hp/cubic inch!) it's still a big step in the right direction.

The good news is that the technology is there, more or less across the board...and hopefully increasing MPG/reducing further emissions if suddenly called upon to do so won't be quite so difficult --- and result in such poorly running cars --- this time around.
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I think you're right ... it did force technology to advance. Detroit has been slow to adopt new technology, as we're seeing with the foot-dragging in regards to EVs. Its one reason I don't support the corporate bail outs that are being considered for GM (and Ford, I believe). Perhaps they should be allowed to fail.

BTW - would the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency as a cabinet level department be considered a green thing for a President to do? Anyone know who did that?

Has There Been a Better Enviromental President Since Gerald Ford?

Pinto Girl New Member

Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

fshagan Senior Member

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Has There Been a Better Enviromental President Since Gerald Ford?

Pinto Girl New Member

Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

fshagan Senior Member