Over the past two years we’ve been barraged by politicians championing higher fuel efficiency, alternative energy and hybrid technology. And Ford Motor Company has produced a 65mpg sports car, but it runs on diesel. . .
Ford’s 2009 Fiesta ECOnetic goes on sale in November. But here’s the catch: Despite the car’s potential to transform Ford’s image and help it compete with Toyota Motor and Honda Motor in its home market, the company will sell the little fuel sipper only in Europe. Automakers such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have predicted for years that a technology called “clean diesel” would overcome many Americans’ antipathy to a fuel still often thought of as the smelly stuff that powers tractor trailers. Diesel vehicles now hitting the market with pollution-fighting technology are as clean or cleaner than gasoline and at least 30% more fuel-efficient. Taxes aimed at commercial trucks mean diesel costs anywhere from 40 cents to $1 more per gallon than gasoline.
If politicians were truly serious about the price of fuel and fuel efficiency, they should consider reducing taxes so that clean fuels can be used by Americans at a market price.
