The cash-for-guzzlers bill being discussed in the U.S. House of Representatives has been revamped. The bill, which passed by a narrow vote, would offer consumers a $3,500 voucher if they trade in a vehicle that gets less than 18 mpg for a new (not used) vehicle that gets 22+ mpg. $4,500 vouchers would be available for consumers that purchase a new vehicle that gets at least 10 mpg more than the trade in.

Although this program may help the auto industry with new sales, environmentalists and other green motoring advocates are saying that rewarding consumers for buying a vehicle that gets a mere 22-mpg is a waste of money. I tend to fall on this side; 22 mpg is hardly fuel-efficient. Sure, it is better than a 15 mpg SUV but I think that the standards need to be set higher. There are a wide variety of vehicles that average 30+ mpg.

If the bill ultimately gets signed into law, the program will expire on 10/1/2010. I’m all for encouraging people to buy vehicles with a higher fuel efficiency, but I don’t think that 22-mpg should be worthy of a financial reward for the consumer.

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Filed Under: General

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