From the WSJ Energy Roundup:

As the Senate takes up the issue of fuel-economy standards this week, it is under enormous pressure from the auto industry, which says the cost of boosting fuel efficiency from an average 25 miles per gallon to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 will be unbearably expensive, crippling the industry.

Writing at Forbes.com, Brian Wingfield argues that Detroit may be home of the Tigers, but it is crying wolf in this case. “[C]’mon, this isn’t cold fusion,” he writes. “The Big Three have been through this before: Between 1978 and 1982, under orders from Congress, Detroit lifted fuel standards in cars from 18 mpg to 24 mpg.”

He also argues that American consumers will pay more for fuel efficiency — an estimated average $8600 extra per vehicle. “They’ll grumble, but they’ll pay. After all, nobody thought recycling or more efficient appliances with higher price tags would ever catch on either.”

How about it, readers? Would you pay $8600 extra for a more-fuel-efficient car?


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