For years, I have written critical pieces about the government’s interference in automobile and truck manufacturing by introducing strict emission goals. And at the same time, I have been critical of the manufacturers for caving to the heavy hand of government.
Cartoon courtesy of mtcave.blogspot.com.
The recent tests that caught VW cheating to meet U.S. emissions goals for nitrogen oxide shouldn’t surprise anyone, and if you think VW is the only manufacturer looking for ways to meet the emission standards, you’re dreaming. Keep in mind that emission goals are just part of their problem; manufacturers also need to produce a safe, well-performing car that the public can afford to purchase without a government subsidy.
Last year, the president announced a new café standard requiring all automobile and light truck models to achieve an average of 54.5 miles per gallon in 2025, nine years after he leaves office.
Why? U. S. Cars and light trucks account for less than three percent of global emissions today. Think about it. Big government is requiring auto manufacturers to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on fuel emission improvements that will have little or no effect on global warming.
How long are we taxpayers going to stand for the meaningless requirements that force us to purchase cars we really don’t want? And how long are our automakers going to set aside free enterprise to bow to the government and the environmental lobby?
We must insist that our elected officials stop supporting the false premise that we can stop global warming and rein-in the EPA, an agency that has gone rogue.
