Commentary

The American automobile industry does not get much positive press these days.  The products they sell are less efficient than their foreign competition and perhaps as a result they are losing market share. 

Part of the lousy press they get is because they produce and sell big, heavy SUVs that create tons of greenhouse gases while fighting against improved fuel efficiency standards.  Last month they were again in front of Congress fighting against fuel efficiency standards.

In short, they have not been the most progressive industry when it comes to environmental impact and adapting to changing market forces.

But let’s face it.  Detroit hasn’t been forcing us to buy SUVs. They are popular because they are roomy, powerful and have good driving visibility (as long as you are in one).

Does the fight against global warming translate into a fight against SUVs?  Or would it be better to fight against inefficient SUVs?

Amory Lovins, of the Rocky Mountain Institute, has a thought-provoking statistic: only 1% of a vehicle’s fuel is used to move the driver.  The rest is used to move the 3000-8000 pounds of steel.  We tend to think of that steel as providing additional safety but there are other much lighter and stronger materials available.

Gov. Schwarzenegger of California was telling journalist Charlie Rose last month about how California is fighting global warming with increased fuel efficiency standards, tax credits for solar energy, etc. 

Mr. Rose asked the Governor about his two Hummers.  The answer was more or less, I have not replaced my Hummers, I have replaced their engines.  One is now hydrogen powered and the other is bio-diesel powered.  Both are much more efficient than they were and both are just as big and mean looking as they were before. 

The Governor was arguing that we should just make SUVs more efficient and that this is the new viewpoint that is going to help mainstream the fight against global warming.

With a different engine and much lighter but stronger raw materials, the SUV could be a mean and green, soccer-Mom machine. 

What do you think?