It's no surprise that President Barack Obama is getting some pushback from some -- but not all -- automakers in the wake of his call to boost the 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard to 56.2 miles per gallon.
But the market is already heading in that direction, driven by a range of factors, including gas price spikes, more fuel-efficient vehicle options and Americans driving less, according to the latest Eco-Driving Index from the University of Michigan.
The index found that the average driver who bought a new vehicle in April 2011 produced 14 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions from driving that month compared to drivers who bought a new car in October 2007, when the index was first launched, said Michael Sivak, who, along with Brandon Schoettle, developed and updated the index.
"This is the case because of both the reduced amount of driving in April 2011 vs. October 2007, and the improved fuel economy of vehicles purchased in April 2011 vs. October 2007," Sivak said in an email.
The index also estimates fuel consumption, taking into account fuel economy and and distance driven. When comparing new car owners from April 2011 vs. October 2007, there is a 2 percent decline in distances driven and a 12 percent drop in the amount of fuel used per distance driven.
"A 2 percent drop in distance driven is notable in the context of the continuously increasing distances driven in the past," Sivak said. 
As you can see in the graph, the trend line is made up of several spikes and dips that reflect general fuel and recessionary market trends.
"The improvement in the fuel economy of purchased vehicles during the first half of 2008 was likely related to the sharp increase of gas prices during that time period," Sivak said.
But that gas spike, painful as it was, failed to produce any long-lasting effects on employee commuting, as we noted in our annual State of Green Business report. By 2009, the percentage of workers driving alone to work inched back up to 76.1 percent from 75.5 percent in 2008, showing that some habits, namely driving, are truly hard to break.
Image CC licensed by Flickr user David Reber's Hammer Photography.
It is a good news after very
It is a good news after very long time. that there is positive efforts form the both end from the driver as well as from the automaker end. And this is only the way by which we can able to minimize the pollution
I certainly think that all
I certainly think that all you tree huggers need to stop sucking sap out of the trees you're hugging! Yes....I'm addressing YOU....The people of California!!! The agency CARB is financially sucking the state of Californa dry and it is getting worse! Unfortunately, all their ridiculous laws will eventually spread to other states over time regardless of a lack of real research and replicable, factual data. This whole country MUST take a stand against agencies like CARB that create fear by spreading their unsubstantiated "findings" based on so-called research done by over-paid amateur "scientists". IT IS COSTING US ENOUGH MONEY ALREADY!! Unless the people of this state enjoy PAYING the price of what really amounts to non-proven charges of "Climate change", etc. the time is NOW to stop the foolish speding! They are KILLING jobs, dictating how we all live, something must be done to stop the nonsense! Stop and think....CARB employees are now the only ones laughing to the bank folks!!! IS this how you want to live?? Greedy politians DICTATING how we live, what we drive while spending our valuable tax dollars on such "studies" as whether or not cow farts affect the ozone? Keep in mind - While you are living check to check, or maybe close to or in danger of foreclosure, these jackwagons are buying new BMWs living off of the money YOU worked so hard for by spreading fear! Is this the American dream we all strived for? Either we wake up as tax paying citizens NOW or we WILL find ourselves living in the newest 3rd world country where only our DICTATORS will live the rich lifestyle. Just look at the results produced by these agencies.....We are not too far away! Oh, BTW: I do NOT belong to any group or political "wing"...I am just part of growing number of US citizens who have gotten sick of what this country has become and where we are all heading! WAKE UP!!!
With the absence of any real
With the absence of any real alternative transportation options to the daily commute in most of the country, it's no surprise that driving habits are hard to break. We need more investment into reliable, efficient, convenient public transportation options before we can really start to affect the emissions and price associated with the way people move around.
This IS the future. Not only
This IS the future. Not only does it do good for the environment, but it also prevents your wallet from having a dent in it. I was shocked when I learned that a Ford Focus that I rented did nearly 40mpg, in the Colorado Mountains! We are definitely headed in the right direction- but we must consider recycling the cars. We must strive to recycle as much as we can from each vehicle. I read that BMW has made steps towards re-using parts again, and designing their cars to be more recyclable (80%).
I would argue the best alternative to a car is the most efficient machine- the bicycle. If you can, you should definitely ride to work- which is pretty tricky in North America. If you are fortunate enough to live within biking distance (of course following a safe road), then you should definitely ride to work! Talk about it with people at your work, perhaps even request a shower to be installed, etc! We are doing this for the future generations!