Peoples interest in fuel economy depends on the price of gas.
If gas stayed up at $3 + then people would be pushing for more fuel effecient cars.
But the price has come down so people "forget".
Gas prices follow the "boiling frog" idea.
If gas prices shot up to $10 tomorrow, everyone would run away and find other means of transportation.
But, the oil companies slowly increase it, over years.
$1.60 around 2001, up to $3 last year, then back to $2.20 now.
the price doesnt slide down to where it was. just slowly gets higher.
I am sure that eventually the oil companies will push electric/alternative fueled cars. When they actually become competition for them.
Most likely buying controlling shares of electric vehicle companies.
Then jacking the price of gas up to $5 or more. To push everyone into these other cars.
Meanwhile making money off of everyone switching, AND making money off of those who do not.
Then eventually when they feel they have made enough. (if that would ever happen) then they will lower the price of gas just enough to keep it "competitive". and sell their shares in electric companies.
it is all about making money.
Sorry for rambling
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Order some golf shoes, otherwise we might never make it out of this place alive.
"Despite the high cost of gasoline, Americans are not shunning large sport-utility vehicles. Auto industry figures show that after a two-year slump, sales of the gas guzzlers are up over 2006 -- in some cases, way up."
What I want to know is how much did they drop prices to be able to say that sales units are up? Even if overall sales $ are up, how's their ROI these days? Still losing money?
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Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. - Albert Einstein