Down the page a bit there are a few posts about Fuel Efficient vehicles and Government regulation of what we, the ‘Peepul’ are smart enough to do for ourselves, and the environment.
I didn’t join in the discussion, but the postings stuck with me since I read them. The longer I thought about it the more it bothered me.

There is one factor that is ignored, by both sides, cost. As most in my economic group we own two vehicles. Both of which the environmentalists don’t like. A Mini-Van, and an older pickup. Normally wife drives van to work, I drive pickup to work. The truck is long paid for, the Van we make last payment next month (finally!). We hope to drive it for another year, then buy something else.

The reason we bought a Mini-Van was so we could take the family on trips, without driving several vehicles. I didn’t want too, but it was the only logical choice.

The reason I drive the old pickup is two-fold, my job requires it. A typical day for me, haul supplies and material from the retail shop to the Plant, and vice-versa. Take a boat to the lake for wet testing, not to mention towing my own boat.
The second reason, we simply cannot afford to buy a replacement. Go price a new pickup with decent load and towing capacity. Starts at $20 K and goes up, fast. Not to mention Tags, Insurance and taxes. I know people here who are paying in excess of $500.00 a month for a new vehicle. That is almost 20% of our monthly income, no way. I like living indoors with electric lights, heat and running water. And eating on a regular basis.

So, for those who preach everyone should run out and buy the latest and greatest fuel efficient transportation, first tell us how a very large number of citizens in this country are going to pay for it. Eliteist attitudes are fine when you have the income to dispose of something you think is bad. Then replace it with something else that you believe is good.

For a very large number of people in this country, that is not possible.