How much does an H2 weigh?
I was thinking of exemptions for large busses, commercial tractor trucks, etc. Not for Excursions or Suburbans.
Increased fuel taxes are regressive though, and don't necessarily lead to better fuel efficiency.
Look at the 70's. Detroit failed to respond to the oil crisis, so the Japanese and Germans took a chunk out of the auto industry. If it happens again, it mighth destroy Detroit. Not that I care really if Detroit dies (IMO, they deserve it), but it would be very painful on the average consumer to have fewer good choices for automobiles if gas reaches $3.00-4.00 per gallon.
You can also blame magazines like Car and Driver and Motortrend. They have alot of influence in the industry, but their values don't necessarily reflect what is practical or even needed by most drivers. American cars could do with a little less horsepower and a little more fuel economy. Horsepower per litre is the highest its ever been, so we should be building smaller engines.
The original VW Beetle had a 40 horsepower engine, so did the original Jeep. Has driving really changed so much that cars with less than 100 horsepower just are unsuitable? In Europe, you can get many cars with less than 100 horsepower... and very good fuel economy.
