The new euro engines due in 2013, are required not only to reduce carbon emissions, but also increase fuel economy. The governments across the world have realised what every motorist has known for years, the more m.p.g. you get from your vehicle, means less emissions for the same journey. Manufacturers have also realised that motorist want more m.p.g., which is why most new vans are adapting aero dynamics into the design of vans. [Have you noticed how similar the new vans look?]
One of the easiest ways manufacturers have of reducing drag is to reduce the width of the vehicle. With aero dynamics and more use of computer controlled management systems, there has been an improvement, but motorist haven’t forgotten the effects on their pocket when fuel was racing towards the predicted £1-50 a litre.
With the world going into recession, the price of fuel came down, allowing the government to increase duty without too much adverse reaction. And of course as we come out of recession, the price of fuel will continue to rise.
It seems obvious to me the only real way out of high oil prices, and harmful emissions, is not to use fossil fuels as the means of power. Electric vehicles has never been a viable alternative, [the cost to the environment to produce the electricity is one good reason] disposal of batteries, poor range between recharging, the time taken to recharge etc. etc. all work against electricity.
The hydrogen fuel cell appears to be the logical answer, with no emissions, longer mileage between filling up, similar power to fossil fuelled vehicles, time to refuel the same as petrol, diesel, or gas. The downside is governments would not be able to go to the oil producing nations for investment capital, and loans; governments will have difficulty justifying high taxes on hydrogen. People would live longer healthier lives, noise pollution and air pollution would be confined to history, wouldn’t life be great?