China Planning Strict Fuel Economy Standards

New York Times:

Worried about heavy reliance on imported oil, Chinese officials have drafted automotive fuel economy standards that are even more stringent than those outlined by President Obama last week, Chinese experts with a detailed knowledge of the plans said on Wednesday.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[FairTalk]

I agree with China, that they should ban the big poluters, not tax them; the rich shouldn't be able to buy their way out of responsible climate change innitives. Then accuse China of not doing enough to clean up the air.

[absolutetruth09]

China is more Capitalistic than us.Socialism will destroy our Economy.

[KillTheMessenger]

This is so painful to watch. China is setting itself up to be the winner the 21st century and we are doing everything we can to come in last. And if we don't change our mindset soon, we will.

[rf-hawaii]

Electric cars will likely make all these numbers irrelevant.

[KillTheMessenger]

Not if you are riding 50 miles one way to work in an electric car that is designed as a replacement for an SUV while 500 Chinese are riding 5 miles on a subway in one tenth of the time. It's not just the cars that count but how you build your cities and urban environments. We have failed on all levels to even get close to the standards of the mid 20th century and we are getting deep into the 21st now!

[FairTalk]

The reason is clear. When I lived in China in '88 and '89, the Chinese were all very environmentaly aware. They all understood the sad consequences of polution. There was nationwide education and desirte to solve these serious problems. In the US, we still have this issue as a controversy. And Obama's auto standards just announced don't do anything. Just stays the same as 1990. The US needs to get serious about this. As a rich country, the US continues to believe that we can "pay"ur way out of our responsibilities.

[RTIII]

If they can do it, WE can do it.

YES WE CAN!

Or, have we become the people who can't?
.

[KillTheMessenger]

I am not so sure about that. China has spent 3500 years on developing a philosophy of happiness through living within ones means. We, on the other hand, have been cultivating exuberant egotism for the past 350. They are well prepared for the limits of a finite world, we, on the other hand, are breaking out in night terrors over the mere concept of it.

[rf-hawaii]

The industry is feigning concern. The American consumer is incredibly malleable. A little motivation goes a long way.