Quote:
Originally posted by Peryn
"yet we allow pollution-spewing vehicles to damage our air quality in the name of "consumer choice." "
You, have no idea what you are talking about. A new SUV is as clean as any car (cept maybe hybrid and PURE electric) off of the lot. A common misconception is that bad mileage = pulluter. This is not the case. Those new H2's that get bad gas mileage are a Low Emmissions Vehicle. Just like a civic. I can Gaurauntee you they have essentially 0 CO, 0 NOx, and 0 HC. You would be better off suckin on a tailpipe of any new car (except some deisel trucks) than you would be being a smoker of cigarettes. Chances are, a 5 yr old Civic will be a bigger polluter than a brand new H2. Also, take a look at Europe. Gas is incredibly expensive their, so naturally they have VERY fuel efficient vehicles. Most people naturally equate this with low pollution, but almost NONE of their cars could pass even teh federal emmisions in the US, let alone the california emissions.
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First of all, I can find the research for you if you'd like.
Second, you can't take one example (the Hummer) and use it as indicative of an entire class of vehicles (SUVs).
Third, you can look up vehicle emissions at the EPA web site, and the "LEV" classification is just so much bullshit. The fact that they have Hummers and Civics in the same LEV class (which, actually, they don't) belies the fact that the LEV classification has a large range of emissions scores - basically between 2 and 6. T1 and T2 classifications are for scores of 0 and 1 (worst polluters), LEV is between 2-6, SLEV and ULEV(super and ultra low) between 7&8, etc., with 10 being the best scores (electrics and hybrids).
<a href="http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/all_alpha_03.pdf">
http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/all_alpha_03.pdf</a>
The Hummer gets an emissions score of 2 (LEV).
The Honda Civic gets a score of 7-8 and is classified as an ULEV. GMC Yukon between 0-3 depending on the sales area.
Chevy Silverado 1-2.
Toyota Highlander 4.
Landcruiser 0-2.
Camry 7.
To quote from the EPA web site:
"The emissions score is primarily based on the tailpipe emission standards of two significant air pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC), both of which contribute to the formation of smog. Particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) are also considered. "
<a href="http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/about.htm">
http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/about.htm</a>
So you go suck on a Hummer tailpipe all you want. I'll go find a 5-year old Civic, or even a Toyota Avalon. Bottom line is, larger cars tend to release more pollutants into the air. Pththbt.