Quote:
Originally Posted by 320touring
1. Increase fuel prices til its too expensive to have a guzzler
2. Increase insurance so that its too expensive to own a Guzzler
3. Support and promote manufacturers working HEAVILY towards an ECO lineup of models.
Is there scope for adding a 4th? e.g. minor behavioural change?
|
I don't like 2 because that is a disconnect between insurance risk and the fees charged. The legitimate truck users shouldn't be penalized.
I'm not sure how to support and promote the business case for all ECO models outside of the Market overwhelmingly choosing to buy them and/or govt regs necessitating them. Impassioned letters to auto mfg mgmt may or may not even be read by those in a position to do something.
I think a fourth leg would be consumer education. I've long been disappointed by the apparant lack of effort on the part of the auto mfgs and govt to educate motorists about such things as the evils of excess idling, proper oil changes intervals, etc. In looking about online for these I've found the Canadian govt to be more proactive than the U.S.; at least they've provided a site that outlines some good basic ecomotoring tips and some data to back them up. As far as the mfgs go, occasionally Owner's Manuals provide some of these basic ecomotoring tips but I don't think they are comprehensive enough. An even bigger problem is that it appears 99% of Owner's Manuals never even get cracked open in the first place. I wonder if anyone would watch an engaging DVD if it were to be included with the Manuals... could salespeople speak of such things and not be told to shut up by the prospects... could dealerships host ecomotoring workshops... would anybody go... perhaps one could be forced to attend an ecomotoring workshop/pass an ecomotoring exam at every driver's license renewal...
Certainly Driver's Training could incorporate good ecomotoring tips but who knows how much of that would stick.
It would be helpful for the media to get on board. I've long thought that the magazines that cater to gearheads have been more influential in promoting the horsepower wars than anyone realizes. I wonder if today's Civic would have more horsepower than an older Corvette if it weren't for decades upon decades of magazine articles and reviews worshipping 0-60 times above all else?
I don't know what the answer to getting the word out to more motorists is but there seems to be a dearth of good websites about it and even if good ones were plentiful, they only attract the interested. It is the disinterested that need it the most.
An educated consumer base would certainly do a better job of choosing appropriate vehicles than what we've got going now.