On the Bottom Half

CO2 Reduction = Job Loss

Read this article about the EU setting CO2 emission limits on new cars.

All the talk about the EU CO2 emissions targets causing job losses, higher vehicle costs, economic implosions, war, pestilence and armageddon strikes me as pure bullocks. How is making a car that produces less CO2 any more difficult and expensive than making a 1.5 L engine produce 200+ horsepower?

Car buyers each year pay more for the same vehicle with the changes in price simply due to inflation, minor power increases, option changes, and standard equipment alterations. Car manufacturers pay their R&D staff to develop more powerful vehicles with more power-for-displacement, better shifting gear boxes, shinier paint, funkier plastics, and more cupholders. Honestly manufacturers, get a grip. I love power in a vehicle very much, but when we kill our planet there aren't going to be any roads, petrol, people, or money enough to drive. Make efficient cars, then work on power + efficiency. Even certain V8s I know about out there get the same mileage as my 6 cyl 5-speed. Do you honestly expect me to believe all this spin and rhetoric that developing a more efficient automobile is going to cost jobs and flatten the automobile sector of the economy?

Helloooo! Spend your R&D on efficiency increases. People aren't going to stop buying vehicles because they burn less fuel. What a completely stupid argument. Auggghhh!

Okay, rant done. Thanks for tuning in!

posted by Kyle @ 14:59