In fact, Dennis Sanders likes his a lot…
I know what you are thinking. You are probably remembering the diesels, General Motors introduced in the 70s when they basically put modified gasoline engines that supposedly took diesel fuel into their cars and the result was disasterous. My diesel runs great even in the harsh winter climate of Minnesota. (My car starts even when it’s 20 below.)
I got this car for two reasons: first, it has great mileage. It’s about the high 30s in the city and in the low to mid 40s on the highway. Since I drive to work (there are no buses that go to my place of work in the ‘bubrs) I only have to fill up about once a week. (When I was taking the bus, I filled up every two weeks.)
Second, it puts less greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It’s not perfect, since there are still bad particulates, but because of government mandates, it’s getting cleaner.
I made a decision in the free market to get a fuel efficient car. So, the rising fuel prices do take some bite, but not as much in the long run.
More alternatives are needed and this is a good alternative in the short term, but what about those who can’t afford transportation like Dennis’? What about those in the lower income brackets who have to consistently settle for the gas guzzling hand-me-downs of the upper and middle classes?
My point is, the free market isn’t the cure-all for everything. It’s a good start, but something else needs to happen in order to make hybrid transportation available to all. Because otherwise, we’re going to be running into the same problems over and over and over again.