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Why Gas Prices Are Rising Essay examples

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Gas prices rising

OR EVEN ABOUT SQUEEZING a few more miles out of each precious tankful. But among the special-edition Ferraris, bizarre Cadillac studies and a whole new crop of gas-guzzling SUVs, not all that many people were talking about cheaper and cleaner ways of getting around. The section of the show dedicated to ‘New Energies’ was a tiny corner on the second floor of Hall 2, behind the stands of the insurance companies. There were exactly two exhibits.

The lull is deceiving. Never have so many automakers put as much money and effort into building a greener car. Not entirely without some prodding, mind you. Facing clean-fleet laws in the U.S. and “voluntary” restrictions in Europe, the industry is committing to cut emissions …show more content…

The fuel isn’t taxed as heavily as gasoline, so the extra cost quickly pays for itself. Most drivers aren’t even aware of the slight differences in acceleration rates or engine power. But propane and butane are still petroleum products, so they don’t cut dependence on oil, nor are they anywhere near pollution-free when they burn. The latter also applies to the million or so cars that run on liquified natural gas today. They won’t meet California’s tough emissions standard.



Nor will the new Honda Insight, rolled out for its European debut at the Paris show. Already on sale in Japan and the U.S., this model is a so-called hybrid: it has both a conventional engine and an electric motor. The motor’s battery gets charged automatically with energy recouped every time the car brakes. When the car accelerates or goes up a hill, the electric motor kicks in; that gives power peaks without extra gas use. The gas is turned off completely when the car coasts or stands still; the motor jumps in to power the car’s other functions. The Insight gets around 80 miles per gallon and spews out only a quarter as much CO2 as, say, a Honda Civic. It sells for $18,800 Toyota offers a hybrid 4-seater called the Prius for about $22,000. The Ford Prodigy and GM Precept were still concept cars when they appeared at the Detroit show in January. Ford also says it will introduce the

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