I recently heard the After Oil podcast and I found it to be a great discussion about the current state of our energy crisis. They discuss projects that use different techniques to improve energy efficiency and projects that focus on bringing alternative energy sources to the masses. Regardless of which approach is taken, one thing that stood out in their discussion is the cultural aspect associated with the energy crisis; The energy crisis is real. We all can do something about it, but no matter what type of new technology is created to solve this crisis there must be a cultural change. We must change our attitude. We must change the way we think about these things.
Let's focus on an automobile's fuel efficiency since they are a major contributor to the energy crisis. We like big cars. We like fast cars. I am no different. But we must change. We should want fuel efficient cars.
Let's focus on an automobile's fuel efficiency since they are a major contributor to the energy crisis. We like big cars. We like fast cars. I am no different. But we must change. We should want fuel efficient cars.
Joan Ogden, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at UC Davis, mentions in the podcast that there are many technology improvements making car engines more efficient, but most improvements focuses on making cars go from 0 to 60 faster instead of making them go farther with the same amount of fuel. Currently acceleration, speed, and power are sexy. We need to make fuel efficiency sexy. A cultural change is needed.
Here are some things to consider:
1) Cap the speedometer at 100 mph
Most highway and freeway speed limits are between 55 to 65 mph - definitely no more than 80 mph, yet most cars can go well over 100 mph. Why does a automobile need to go beyond 80 mph if it's not legal to do so? So let's be conservative and cap the speedometer at 100 mph so the highway patrol still have something to do.
2) So what if it goes from 0 to 60 in 30 seconds?
Ok I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the point. The energy crisis is a bigger problem in metropolitan areas where there is a lot of traffic congestion. We rarely get a chance to use acceleration (or speed for that matter) in such places. I argue that we don't need the acceleration of a Porsche. A Honda Accord should suffice. Next time you're in the market for car consider fuel efficiency instead of acceleration and speed.
3) We don't need all that power
Most of us do not need the power of a Toyota Tundra. If you need one to haul your boat or horse-trailer, I believe you are the exception to the norm. There is a need for some people to own a Toyota Tundra-like vehicle (like contractors) but the power of a normal 4-door sedan will probably work for most consumers. Pass on the oversize and suped-up vehicles if you don't need one.
4) Do not buy SUVs
SUVs give us a false sense of coolness and we are all drinking the koolaid. I want to single out SUVs because I believe that it's a brilliant marketing campaign and nothing more. You can't really do any sport-like activities with them nor would most SUV owners want to try to do anything of that nature - you can't really go off-roading with most of them anyway. The Cadillac Escalade is too beautiful to be taken off-roading. The consumer Hummer is just the shell of the army Hummer. Taking it off-roading is a one-way trip to the repair shop. Furthermore, most SUVs do not give anymore seating capacity than a normal 4-door sedan. SUVs are basically an over-priced car with supremely bad fuel efficiency and a penchant for rolling over. You're a soccer mom whether you hide behind the marketing or not. Buy a station wagon, they have the same seating capacity and similar trunk space, but better fuel efficiency. If you really have a need for big-time seating capacity, buy a minivan. They have better seating capacity, a little better mpg, and a friendlier price tag. And most importantly, Soccer moms are still hot whether they drive a SUV, station wagon, or minivan :) The car does not make you who you are. Look pass the marketing and do the right thing.
These suggestions are simple and straightforward, yet I'm sure you're thinking that it cannot be done because. It's idealistic and maybe even ridiculous, right? You are correct because big and fast cars exists because we want them. But we need to solve the energy crisis and it will require involvement from everyone - corporations, governments, and most importantly us. It all starts with us. We need to want fuel efficient cars. If we want fuel efficient cars, corporation will provide it to us. We need to demand from the government policies, laws, and incentives to ensure that auto companies focus on improving energy efficiency with cars just like it did with kitchen appliances.
The worst part about a cultural change is it is initially very difficult to overcome because we are creatures of habit, but once you get over the hump you wonder why you didn't do it earlier. I went through this a few years back when I traded in a car that had more acceleration, power, and speed than my current one. My first few weeks of driving it was weird, but I adjusted and I love my current car. In fact, I would get the exact same model once it's time to trade in my current one - assuming there isn't a more fuel efficient one out there.
Here are some things to consider:
1) Cap the speedometer at 100 mph
Most highway and freeway speed limits are between 55 to 65 mph - definitely no more than 80 mph, yet most cars can go well over 100 mph. Why does a automobile need to go beyond 80 mph if it's not legal to do so? So let's be conservative and cap the speedometer at 100 mph so the highway patrol still have something to do.
2) So what if it goes from 0 to 60 in 30 seconds?
Ok I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the point. The energy crisis is a bigger problem in metropolitan areas where there is a lot of traffic congestion. We rarely get a chance to use acceleration (or speed for that matter) in such places. I argue that we don't need the acceleration of a Porsche. A Honda Accord should suffice. Next time you're in the market for car consider fuel efficiency instead of acceleration and speed.
3) We don't need all that power
Most of us do not need the power of a Toyota Tundra. If you need one to haul your boat or horse-trailer, I believe you are the exception to the norm. There is a need for some people to own a Toyota Tundra-like vehicle (like contractors) but the power of a normal 4-door sedan will probably work for most consumers. Pass on the oversize and suped-up vehicles if you don't need one.
4) Do not buy SUVs
SUVs give us a false sense of coolness and we are all drinking the koolaid. I want to single out SUVs because I believe that it's a brilliant marketing campaign and nothing more. You can't really do any sport-like activities with them nor would most SUV owners want to try to do anything of that nature - you can't really go off-roading with most of them anyway. The Cadillac Escalade is too beautiful to be taken off-roading. The consumer Hummer is just the shell of the army Hummer. Taking it off-roading is a one-way trip to the repair shop. Furthermore, most SUVs do not give anymore seating capacity than a normal 4-door sedan. SUVs are basically an over-priced car with supremely bad fuel efficiency and a penchant for rolling over. You're a soccer mom whether you hide behind the marketing or not. Buy a station wagon, they have the same seating capacity and similar trunk space, but better fuel efficiency. If you really have a need for big-time seating capacity, buy a minivan. They have better seating capacity, a little better mpg, and a friendlier price tag. And most importantly, Soccer moms are still hot whether they drive a SUV, station wagon, or minivan :) The car does not make you who you are. Look pass the marketing and do the right thing.
These suggestions are simple and straightforward, yet I'm sure you're thinking that it cannot be done because. It's idealistic and maybe even ridiculous, right? You are correct because big and fast cars exists because we want them. But we need to solve the energy crisis and it will require involvement from everyone - corporations, governments, and most importantly us. It all starts with us. We need to want fuel efficient cars. If we want fuel efficient cars, corporation will provide it to us. We need to demand from the government policies, laws, and incentives to ensure that auto companies focus on improving energy efficiency with cars just like it did with kitchen appliances.
The worst part about a cultural change is it is initially very difficult to overcome because we are creatures of habit, but once you get over the hump you wonder why you didn't do it earlier. I went through this a few years back when I traded in a car that had more acceleration, power, and speed than my current one. My first few weeks of driving it was weird, but I adjusted and I love my current car. In fact, I would get the exact same model once it's time to trade in my current one - assuming there isn't a more fuel efficient one out there.
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