Additionally, insofar as increased auto prices reduce demand, the effectiveness of this approach will be compromised. Fleet turnover naturally results in emissions reductions because older cars are, on average, more polluting than newer cars. This is due to both existing regulatory standards and the natural deterioration of emissions control equipment in automobiles. If the rate at which newer cars replace older cars is slowed, emissions reductions will be lost. And then, of course, there are the electric cars.
Electric cars are one of the favorite weapons in the regulatory war against urban air pollution.
Gore has even suggested that the ultimate aim should be the complete replacement of gasoline-powered vehicles. Right now, however, electric cars sound much better on paper than they perform in practice. For decades, engineers have promised an imminent breakthrough in battery technology that would turn electric cars from interesting auto show displays to practical everyday cars. That breakthrough has not yet arrived. Electric cars made today have an extremely limited range between charges, typically under 100 miles.