[sustran] What lessons can America learn from the rest of the world . . .?

[eric britton]

Message from the Netherlands

 

Subject: Reducing Size, Weight, Power and Speed of Vehicles most urgent
solution to America's oil addiction 

 

In Europe and North America car manufacturers keep themselves and consumers
captive in an endless upgrading of every car model in size, power and
performance. Through costly add-on technology manufacturers try to improve
both fuel efficiency and performance. Nevertheless, growth trends - in all
size classes - have offset most technological improvements towards energy
efficiency. In Europe today's middle class family cars averaging 140 HP/1400
kg and >200 km/h top speed easily outperform classic sports cars. In three
decades (two for diesel) average power levels have doubled! Not consumer
demand but supply side marketing priorities ("more = better") made all size
classes upgrade at least two grades. Recently, some downsizing of engine
size has begun (still rising power) reducing test cycle CO2 emissions, but
hardly real time fuel use. Reducing dimensions, weight, engine displacement
and - most of all - less power is the most cost-effective way of reducing
fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. 

 

For America's beefy car fleet there is not substitute for downsizing! All
American car and light truck model classes need reductions up to 50 percent,
to start with cubic inches (engine displacement), horsepower, body
dimensions and weight. Hybridizing is okay, but downsizing is a major step
towards sustainability. 

 

Ahead of their time European transport ministers agreed, in ECMT's 1991
ministerial meeting, on a Resolution nr. 66 "on Power and Speed of
Vehicles", proclaiming the need for less powerful and speedy cars to reduce
road casualties, emissions and fuel use. Since the US are now member of
ECMT's successor International Transport Forum (ITF), implementing that
resolution through regulatory limiting specific HP/kg ratings, top speeds
and body size/weight, is what the new US administration can do - better than
EU's recent deal on (soft) new car CO2 standards. EU and US governments must
act because the car industry will always be captive of competition and
upgrading pressures. Returning to European performance levels and vehicle
dimensions of the 70s is more cost-effective than add-on technologies in
reducing oil addiction, CO2 emissions and road casualties. 

 

Martin Kroon, mc.kroon at hetnet.nl

Formerly member of ECMT's Working Group on Transport and Environment 

Leiden, the Netherlands

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