Originally posted by Quark_666
That bugs the crap out of me. I've actually entertained the unpopular idea that increasing gas prices in America might have a few good side effects. I never finished any of my sentences during the "debate" though...I was pretty much shouted down. But I feel confident I could have kicked butt if I'd been allowed to talk. I hate ignorance.
It will in terms of American cars and fuel economy, it certainly will. Not many people are going to buy a (e.g.)Chevy Impala that gets 28 mpg, if they can buy a Toyota Camry that gets 36 for basically the same price when gas is $4.00+ a gallon for regular, it's simple economics.
Also, the tighter regulations on pollution will also have an affect om mpg, all around.
Edit: Another plus in higher petrol pices in America, it will stimulate the alternative fuel market, be it ethanol, bio-diesel, veggie oil or electric. Corporations will start investing more and more into these fields, once more Americans show interest. If there's money to be made, people/corps seek to make the products that sell.
Here's a fun fact, electric cars have been around since the early 1900's, if oil was way pricery back then, we'd have batteries that could run 500+ miles per charge now.