RE: You said it--but wait

Please see my post below as for the food vs. fuel argument, for one thing. As for doubling the fuel economy, Winning the Oil End Game (also online here discusses this and tons of other ways to save energy, increase fuel economy, etc. The only thing I am really skeptical in the whole book is his slapdash dismissal of the role of nuclear power. On that subject, I am even more skeptical and even contemptuous of the Union of Concerned Scientists (whom you linked). Lovins also takes a holistic look at not just the cars, but the city planning, airline industry, power production, etc.

One thing Lovins at least is ready to admit is that consumer demand, not some conspiracy, drove the rise of the super-heavy gas guzzlers. UCS seems to recognize that as well with their proposal because they give a design on their website for a SUV-like vehicle that would appeal to consumers, not some little tiny crate that wanna-be "environmentalists" seem to demand everyone drive. Lovins also states that building more fuel efficient vehicles will ultimately be more profitable because that's where the demand will be, and moreover, you won't be able to sell in many world markets unless you meet their efficiency and emissions requirements.

In the end, I'm also highly skeptical of UCS's SUV design because if I know one thing about engineering, it's that something that looks like it should work on paper often is more complex than it seems at first, and subsequent tweaks and redesigns tend to take you further and further from your ideal you are striving for.

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