Fix added that the higher fuel standards have also resulted in cars becoming "smaller" and "lighter," which naturally means they aren't as safe as cars that aren't as fuel efficient.
Additionally, the CAFE standards are attempting to encourage consumers to purchase electric cars, which cost $20,000 more on average over the life of the vehicle and which are can be more detrimental to the environment than cars that rely solely on gasoline.
"Electric vehicles produce three times as much toxic pollution as gas powered ones when you factor in the mining of rare earth minerals that electric car batteries require," Fix said. "And this doesn't include the environmental consequences involved in ultimately disposing of these batteries."
Fix also pointed out that the batteries of electric cars tend to last for less than 100 miles and can take anywhere from 4-8 hours to recharge.
Local governments are also attempting to push people away from using cars by restricting parking:
The War On Cars
Additionally, the CAFE standards are attempting to encourage consumers to purchase electric cars, which cost $20,000 more on average over the life of the vehicle and which are can be more detrimental to the environment than cars that rely solely on gasoline.
"Electric vehicles produce three times as much toxic pollution as gas powered ones when you factor in the mining of rare earth minerals that electric car batteries require," Fix said. "And this doesn't include the environmental consequences involved in ultimately disposing of these batteries."
Fix also pointed out that the batteries of electric cars tend to last for less than 100 miles and can take anywhere from 4-8 hours to recharge.
Local governments are also attempting to push people away from using cars by restricting parking:
Former Boston Mayor Tom Menino once declared, “The car is no longer king” before banning all cars in a popular downtown shopping district. Arlington, Virginia, a suburb of DC, actually encourages people to adopt a “car-free diet” and live in one of the county’s “urban villages.” Seattle, meanwhile, plans to “aggressively” discourage driving by limiting parking spots, even though cars are “an unavoidable part of work and life for most people,” according to the Seattle Times.
The War On Cars