Will increasing mileage standards decrease fuel consumption?

Question

Or will it just encourage people to drive even more? As the cost of convenience decreases don't people naturally take advantage of it?

Answer 1

No, the cost of gas is too high for people to "just drive more".  

If gas came down significantly, then you would be correct.  But no one just goes out and drives for fun these days.

Answer 2

Yes, but the limiting factor to driving is no longer cost of fuel.  It's traffic!

When people are snarled in a traffic jam, that's what they're thinking about, not how much farther they can go in a better MPG car.

Answer 3

Everyone else is right.  It's a big complicated issue.  For example, a lot of people drive cars everywhere because they think it's the best choice for them.  Why take an airplane when you can't take your food with you on the plane?  Why walk when it's cold and raining?  Even the increasing price of gasoline hasn't gotten people to significantly reduce their driving addiction.

Answer 4

Yes, Absolutely!  

If we take some cars and trucks that get 4-8-19 miles per gallon off the road or; even if they drove slower and used economy methods to obtain better mpg, it would still be better than it is now.

Most average people use less mileage and it is about (by national standards) 12-15,000 miles per year.

There are time constraints on job, family,school and recreation and most people do not put in an extra hour or two a day because gas is cheap or they get better mileage.

But some drivers are traveling for sales, distance rural,delivery drivers that put on many miles of road per year. Even if all of these factors were true, a mandated 35 miles per gallon would allow us to get in line with other countries and limit; co2 emissions, green house gasses, save our $$$$ going to foreign countries and save us money in the weekly pay check.

But yes, some people will take advantage of economy laws; like the people not conserving fuel by their bad driving quick starts, racing, speeding, short unnecessary multiple trips to the store, and improper maintenance and not disposing of gas guzzling dinosaurs.

So yes and no may be true! But I think, if trucks and school buses and old polluting vehicles are mandated to pollute less and get better mpg too, we would all win and have healthy lungs too!

Answer 5

No. The ratings are appx and only if you drive perfectly. If you have every drove on a highway you know that the speed limit isn't obeyed by everyone. And don't forget about traffic, it decreases gas mileage dramatically. The only way to reduce fuel consumption is to drive less and that won't happen.

Answer 6

BOTH.

Long time ago (back in the 70).  Most families only had 1 car. Now these days even kids have cars.

It will probably NOT decrease fuel consumption.  People will just drive more.

I like your question.  Good Luck.