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SUVs
and Terrorism-A Bad Rap
You
have probably heard the news about conservation groups
blaming not-so-fuel-efficient SUVs for terrorism, global
warming, and just about anything else that's unpopular
at the time. Here are the facts and our thoughts on
these accusations.
In
December's issue of the newsletter, we debunked an urban
legend and showed how buying gas from certain gas companies
does not stop funding for terrorism. This is also true
for purchasing gasoline (regardless of the type of car
you drive). Money spent on gasoline does not contribute
to terrorism-no more so than any other money circulating
in the economy at this time-and in fact, supports local
merchants (gas stations, mini marts, and the like).
In
the coming years, Ford and General Motors will come
out with sport utility vehicles with hybrid engines
that are both battery-powered and gas-powered. In fact,
in as early as 2004, car manufacturers will come out
with engines that improve gas mileage by about eight
or nine percent. The next hybrid engine currently in
development will produce 20 percent better gas mileage.
And, over a 10-year time span, manufacturers hope to
improve gas mileage by as much as 50 percent.
Unfortunately,
the hybrid engines we mentioned are going to cost more
than regular engines-probably $2,000 to $3,000 more
for the average-priced vehicle. And there is currently
no tax incentive to purchase these SUV hybrid engines,
although there is a $2,000 deduction for smaller hybrid
cars.
Rather
than burning or defacing large cars, specifically SUVs
to make a point, people concerned about the environment
and conservation would have a greater (and more positive)
impact by persuading people to purchase cars with greater
fuel economy. Better yet, we should all encourage politicians
to raise the tax deductions on hybrid cars, thereby
creating an incentive as well as a reward for buying
these types of vehicles.
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