Tax credits for hybrid cars could reduce oil use
Growing up in a rural area has made me, like most Americans, very accustomed to the idea of having a car. But that might have to change if gas prices continue to rise at the current rate. The average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. this week is $3.76, not an insignificant sum. It is time for America to take a hard look at its gas consumption and take serious action to combat the reality of ridiculously high gas prices.
The price of gas has huge global implications, and this is demonstrated by a report released today that showed that the U.S.’s trade deficit increased to 44.4 billion dollars, partially because of gas imports. Our dependence on foreign oil is especially troubling since we import it from countries like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. And while producing more gas domestically doesn’t hurt, that doesn’t solve the problem of our general addiction to a fossil fuel with a finite supply.
The solution to the problem lies in hybrid and electric car technologies. Not only do these lessen our gas addiction’s huge environmental impact, but it keeps us from spending so much on gas itself. Even though this technology exists, it isn’t being utilized enough. The documentary film, “Who Killed the Electric Car,” does an excellent job of demonstrating the technology’s availability in the mid-’90s through the use of fully operative electric cars. However, a lack of consumer demand, as well as pressure from oil companies and other sources, was able to thwart the success of the venture.
Current gas prices should raise consumer demand for vehicles that use alternative fuel. The federal government should also act to ensure that auto manufacturers are moving towards vehicles with better mileage and alternative fuel sources. The Obama administration raised the minimum requirement for gas mileage on new vehicles with hopes of achieving 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. This is a huge step in the right direction, but it doesn’t do anything to change the massive number of cars on the road that currently guzzle gas. There should be a significant tax credit specifically for trading in a car with low gas mileage for a hybrid or electric car. This would immediately lower demand for gas and result in lower gas prices for those who are not able to afford a hybrid. It would also reinforce the government’s commitment to reduce oil dependence.
Very little good comes from our nation’s oil addiction. The environmental impact alone should be cause for great concern, not to mention the tremendous, and still rising, cost of gasoline. The solution is not to produce more but to move toward a future of cleaner and safer energy.
