Thursday, May 06, 2010
More Fuel Efficient Vehicles Are Not Making Us More Efficient
The New York Times plots per capita driving and gasoline prices. Again they miss the big story. During the run up in prices since 2005, gasoline consumption didn’t go down. We became less efficient even though the fuel economy rating of the manufactured fleet improved and trucks and SUVs sat on lots.
I think it’s clear that we are trying address the wrong end of fuel efficiency. The real bottleneck is on the road. People not accelerating quickly enough and causing congestion (due to misguided beliefs that slow acceleration is more efficient and maybe due to increased cell phone use).
I think it’s clear that we are trying address the wrong end of fuel efficiency. The real bottleneck is on the road. People not accelerating quickly enough and causing congestion (due to misguided beliefs that slow acceleration is more efficient and maybe due to increased cell phone use).
