Comments on: Double Your Own Fuel Economy

By: ZoeLipman

ZoeLipman — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:52:00 +0000

Beth – I agree that it’s a good idea for every car owner to do the math to figure out what the next car they buy will mean from the standpoint both of the cost of the car and the cost (or savings) on gas to run it. But its critical to start with solid numbers. And the estimates the experts are making (even the ones I think are crazy high) are just a fraction of the numbers you cite below. For anyone who wants to get into the weeds, detailed technology-by-technology cost estimates put together by DOT and EPA are publicly available in the technical documents on the EPA’s website, and in other studies. For heavy duty pickup trucks, we provide a detailed look at the costs and benefits in our new report Trucks That Work.

But the bottom line is that big increases in fuel economy bring car and truck owners big net savings whether we’re talking about today or 2025. What we save on fuel is much more than the added cost of technology. The payback only takes a few years, and for many of us who finance our cars or trucks, we start saving the moment we drive off the lot.

Why? Because the added monthly cost in our car payment that comes from a slightly more expensive car, is less than what we’re saving monthly on gas. In other words, my total cost of ownership (car payments + gas payments) is lower every week, every month, every year, than if I‘d gone for the less expensive but less fuel efficient vehicle.

And putting money back in families’ and businesses’ pockets to invest in America, instead of sending it overseas for oil -is something I hope we can all support whatever our politics.

I also have confidence in American innovation. Looking forward 15 years to 2025 the cost of all the advanced technology we have today will be much lower (just think what a flat screen HD TV would have cost in 1996… if you could even have got one). We don’t know exactly how much lower – but all previous experience shows costs will drop MORE than we estimate. But we don’t have to guess: even with today’s technology a new 50mpg Prius costs less than the average new car and costs half as much drive. Meanwhile innovation is bringing higher and higher fuel economy to even the most affordable vehicles. And that’s today…. We haven’t even got to 2025.

By: Some Unintended Consequences of Raising CAFE Again | Light from the Right

Some Unintended Consequences of Raising CAFE Again | Light from the Right — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:40:47 +0000

[...] National Wildlife Federation (NWF) was ecstatic over the announcement. Zoe Lipman, senior manager for Transportation and Global Warming Solutions, [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:54:00 +0000

THE PRESIDENT AND ADVISERS HAVE ZERO TECHNICAL BACKGROUND ON ONE HAND–AND EVEN LESS CONCERN FOR THE REALITIES OF COSTS OF $11K ADDED TO AN AUTO–AND MAKE THE STUNNINGLY STUPID STATEMENT THAT 11K COULD BE EASILY BE RECOUPED BY DOLLARS SAVED IN GASOLINE SAVINGS:

15,000 MPY @ 30MPG== 500gal @ $4.00 PER GAL = $2000 COST PER YR
15,000 ” 50 == 300 = $1200

SAVINGS $800.PER YEAR $11,000 / 800= 13 YEARS AND 9 MONTHS AND DRIVING
THE AUTO 206,250 MILES– TO WASH THE $IIK

GIVE ME A BREAK–BETTER YET GIVE THE AMERICAN CITIZENS A BREAK!!

THIS ADMINISTRATIONAL EDICT IS AT WAR WITH THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THERMODYNAMICS,
AS WELL AS GRADE SCHOOL MATH.

By: Facts Show Obama’s New “Fuel Efficiency” Requirement a “No-Starter” | UNCOVERAGE.net

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:30:35 +0000

[...] call held Thursday that the estimated fuel savings due to these standards will outweigh the “modest” motor vehicle price increases for consumers.I think the punch line here is that the fuel savings hugely exceeds any up front [...]

By: Obama's New Fuel Economy Standards Will Increase Cost of a Car More Than $11,000

Obama's New Fuel Economy Standards Will Increase Cost of a Car More Than $11,000 — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:58:58 +0000

[...] [...]