Mobilizing for Miles Per Gallon

Everyone who's ever sat fuming at a big gas-guzzling SUV now has the company of California Attorney General Bill Lockyer. California and nine other states are suing the Bush administration over mileage rules for sport utility vehicles and light trucks. The decision is actually made in the Department of Transportation, run by Norman Mineta, but that's in the Executive Branch, so he was appointed by and reports to Bush.

In fact, the Transportation people made the fuel economy requirements slightly higher than they had been, but the suit alleges that technology allows for cars that are much more fuel-efficient, and that we'd see more of them if the law encouraged automakers to produce them.

As gas prices get higher, consumer demand may also encourage car companies to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. The San Jose Mercury-News reports that "Buyers who want a big SUV or pickup, though, aren't changing their minds in favor of a Toyota Prius hybrid or a cozy new high-mileage Honda Fit. But they are giving serious consideration to SUVs and trucks that use less gas than rival models."

Now if we could only get more work on alternative fuel sources. How about the grease car?

Photo by malingering via Flickr.