Even then, it may not achieve the efficiency of the early models. But, the industry already has made big strides in fuel efficiency and regulated emissions. And, making cars that use less gas is proving to be cheaper than installing the equipment needed up to clean up a gas-guzzler s emissions. Schrock added that an often unmentioned aspect of declining petroleum reserves is the fact that vehicles use the lion s share of it. But, petroleum so far has no substitute in the manufacture of everything from plastic heart valves to life-saving medicines.
Oil still is relatively cheap.
We need a broader based, more creative approach to fueling vehicles. We need more research. The consumer needs to get clear market signals about real fuel costs. And, in the meantime, every one of use needs to remember why conserving seemed so important back in the 1970s. Schrock is a mechanical engineer with K-State Research and Extension.