AUTOMOBILES KEEP POSING NEW DILEMMAS

Current automobile policies are examined and comments are made on the complex environmental, social and economic trade-offs that are shaping them. The energy crisis which has focused attention on the automotive demand for fuel, the poor economic conditions within the country (reflected by the poor car sales), and the air pollution threat have lead to mechanical changes which greatly improve the fuel economy of the automobile. New studies suggest that shifts to mass transit rail or bus systems will not provide significant relief. A compendium is presented of the possibilities of reducing automobile energy consumption. The surge of interest in small cars is noted. An agreement by manufactures to achieve a 40 percent improvement in fuel economy by the 1980 model year is examined, and its shortcomings are listed.

• Corporate Authors:

  Conservation Foundation

  1717 Connecticut Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Publication Date: 1975-3

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 1-8
• Serial:
  • Conservation Foundation Letter
  • Publisher: Conservation Foundation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Automobiles; Compact automobiles; Energy resources; Fuel consumption; Innovation; Socioeconomic factors
• Uncontrolled Terms: Energy crisis
• Old TRIS Terms: Future concepts; Small car
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00096068
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 2 1975 12:00AM