Reply #21: Standards have gone up but so has oil consumption [View All]

[blue_onyx]

In 1978, the standard was 18 MPG and in 2000 in was 27.5. During this time, our oil consumption has gone up from 18.8 million barrels per day in 1978 to 19.4 million barrels in 2000. If the purpose of CAFE was to help get us off oil, then it's a failure. If you scroll down on that article you linked:

"As fuel efficiency rises, people drive their cars more, which offsets some of the gains that might be had in carbon dioxide emissions from the higher standards. The Heritage Foundation says that oil imports have not decreased as a result of the program and have instead greatly increased (from 35 percent of oil used to 52 percent) since the standards were first implemented in the 1970s."

The only thing that seems to have changed driving habits and the products we purchased is high gas prices. So I think gas tax would be a more effective way of decreasing oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.