America's new broom continues to sweep through the chaos and ignorance that typified the previous administration. Yesterday saw a positive change in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard, car makers are now required to deliver an average of 35mpg across their range of cars. This figure is calculated from all sales and stiff financial penalties can be applied for failing to achieve the standard.
Those of us on this side of the pond will look at that figure with some incredulity, with European averages way higher than that already, however the sheer number of cars in the US and their incredibly poor fuel consumption means that even the smallest improvement will result in billions of tons reduction in carbon emissions.
Hopefully the need for super efficient vehicles to balance the American desire for ga guzzlers will mean that we see more choice in electric and alternative fuel vehicles for those who have an appreciation for the environmental damage already done by our love of the car. Which will eventually lead to more choice in Europe as well.
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