See, the problem with the EPA is, that it is now filled with semi-radicals who see humans as parasites infesting Mother Earth. The sooner the EPA can restrict and control human movement - especially the most evil of all humans - the American human - the better they like it.

Disband this group of politically driven eco-*****. They have forgotten that their purpose is to serve the needs of the American people.

 

(raises hand to vote for eliminating the EPA)

The EPA is now a self serving beaurocracy that has to justify its existance. Along with being filled with eco-*****, said eco-***** entire purpose in life is to create more of themselves. Thus, you must come out with poorly researched ideas that will take many years and many thousands of manhours of researching to come to preconcieved conclusions that you don't care if they can be implimented in an economically feasible manner.

In other words, like much of government, it is self perpetuating.

Much like the Department of Education.............. but don't even get me started there.

 

That is in 2010, we are talking about 2025. Who knows what electric cars will be like then. Just look at cell phones or TVs from 15 years ago and today. Exponential amounts of progress was made. I wouldn't be surprised if 50 kWh can be stored in a battery the size of a 1'x1'x1' cube by 2025.

 

There's a few big differences between televisions, cellular phones and automobiles - progress was made because there is a huge demand for better and better technology. Now, people have been demanding more and more features in their cars, but a complete change in powertrain technology hasn't really been one of them. That and the fact that TVs and phones aren't attempting to overcome some basic laws of physics. It takes a lot of energy to move a 3000 pound car down the road.

Americans still aren't all that interested in tiny electric cars. So we're being pushed that way by the gov't. The 'demand' is largely artificial, it's manufactured - and that's really what I have a problem with.

 

Um, no. Do some research before speculating. There are no affordable, significantly higher-density battery technologies on the horizon.

 

As long as fuel prices stay you are correct. But that is not likely, both the German and American militaries are expecting global oil shortages by 2015, this is one reason the DoD is working of running jest on bio-fuel. We import about 2/3rds of the oil we use and a lot of exporting countries are going to either stop exporting or become importing nations by 2015 which will make it harder for us to get all the motor fuels we currently need. I lot can happen between now and then, but I'd say that $4-$6 gas will be the norm mid decade, and that is in 2010 pre QE2 dollars.

 

 

If I was on facebook, I would "like" this.

If any of you have visited Detroit, ride the People Mover. Literally the stupidest public transportation ever made. If I could have a mode of public transportation. I wouldn't own a car. (Note to government: that means I'm not using a drop of gas. That's better than 62mph in 2025)

 

Strange post from someone on a car enthusiast board.

 

All I can say is, we'll see. There were a lot of "sky is falling" predictions about gasoline a few years ago when it peaked just over $4.

 

And those predictions came true, gas did hit $4-$5 even though most people said it never would. Oil today is at $86. That is the post Katrina price, and we are in not just a recession, we are in the worst recession since the 1930's. OPEC says they want $100 oil, because the dollar is weak, and they will probably get it in the next 6 months. $80 to $100 is not longer a freak catastrophe spike price, it is the new normal. China and India are not going to stop buying cars, that means they are competing with us for oil on the open market. Supply will be flat at best, demand will be up, that means prices will be up. Unless there is another great depression, or nuclear terrorist attack, or an asteroid hits China, it is a safe bet that 2015 prices will be higher. If prices stay flat in real terms, in nominal terms it will only take 5.9% a year inflation for 5 years to go from $3 to $4 gas.

 

What I mean is, because gas was $4/gallon in 2007-2008 it was assumed that the trend would continue and we'd have $5-$6 gas by now. Hasn't happened, in fact it has fallen as we all know. I know China and India aren't driving fewer vehicles now than they were back then...so what I am saying is, there are a whole crapload of factors that go into the price of gasoline that not any one of us can claim to fully understand. I'm not saying $6/gallon gas won't become a reality at some point, but I'm not saying it will either.

I do feel confident that with GM/Ford/Chrysler's refocus on cars, they will be better able to weather the storm if it does happen.

 

If and when the economy starts buzzing again and the way the world economy is it will do so worldwide, we will see a resurgence in oil prices and hence gas prices. Market forces will kick in and dictate peoples buying decisions. It was not long ago that SUVs and pick-ups lost a tremendous amount of value and Geo Metro's rotting in scrap yards became desirable.

When that happends there will be a new market in alternative fuels once again and I think the issue of CAFE will be moot. Peoples habits will change (at least short term) when you hit them where they really feel it, in the pocketbook.

 

This^^^^^
Let the market take care of things. We have had electric cars for over 100 years and the battery technology hasnt improved like other technology. People have way to much faith in technology. If we have an oil shortage, which I doubt will really happen the market will take care of itself. When gas was at over $4.50 a gallon it was all bs and we had plenty of oil. If the oil companies pull that stunt again demand will keep on falling.

 

There is also the chance that we will see another 2008. Price of gas spikes to $6 (with some help from speculators) economy is crippled by it, price crashes to $2.50 (with help from speculators shorting). These wild fuel price swings are terrible for the auto industry.