environmental facts
THE TWO-CAR STRATEGY
Many people have inquired about the need for automobile
oollution controls in communities where air pollution is not
a severe problem. This has been prepared to respond to such
questions.
Since some areas of the country have far less of an auto-
motive air pollution problem than large cities, why can't there
be two kinds of automobi1es--one with air pollution controls
for cities and another, without such controls, for rural areas?
This concept has been called the "two-car" strategy. EPA
believes that it would not be practical, for several reasons:
1. Cars are highly mobile. A car registered in a relatively
clean area will on occasion be driven to nearby cities. It
would be almost impossible to control where an automobile
might be operated.
2. Even if it were possible to prohibit the sale and
initial registration of uncontrolled cars in heavily
polluted cities it probably would be impossible to control
the sale of used uncontrolled cars in such cities. In
fact, such uncontrolled cars are likely to be driven a
few miles and then "bootlegged" for resale in cities almost
immediately, thus circumventing the law.
3. Beginning with the 1975 model year, stringently controlled
automobiles will require unleaded gasoline to protect their
catalytic converters. Because of these requirements, they
might have serious problems being refueled in those areas
of the country in which such unleaded fuel—and repair parts
for stringently controlled cars—would not be readily
available. The average citizen's mobility would thus be
unacceptably impaired.
You say the two-car strategy won't work, yet what about
California? That state has for years imposed more stringent
emission standards on cars than any other jurisdiction in the
country.
A two-car system is feasible in an area which is geographically
separate from all other large metropolitan areas — in other words,
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in California. Even there, all cars are subject to the same
standards, even though they may be registered and used most
of the time in areas where auto pollution ib not a significant
hazard.
In regard to the importation of used cars into California
that do not meet the more stringent California emission standards,
not even California, with its almost 10 years experience in
imposing its own emission standards on new cars has yet devised
and implemented a way of prohibiting their sale in California.
Since automotive air pollution is not a problem where I
live, and there is a fuel shortage, why shouldn't I disconnect
the air pollution controls on my car?
Disconnecting the pollution controls on your car is not
likely to improve the fuel economy. EPA recently completed a
technical study on the effects of emission control removal on
the fuel economy of 1973 and 1974 model year cars. The results
of this study showed that when the average mechanic worked on
the automobiles, almost all cars showed a decrease in fuel
economy. The average decrease was 3.555.
In addition, air pollution where you drive and live would
usually increase if you have the controls removed from your
automobile. Your area may not have an automotive air pollution
problem now. Help keep it that' way.
But what can I do to get the best mileage from my automobile?
Keep your car tuned to the manufacturers specifications.
If you don't, you are likely to suffer an approximate 6% fuel
penalty and maybe more. Watch your driving habits--steady speeds,
and avoiding sudden starts and stops will increase your car's
fuel economy. And, when you are purchasing a new car—remember
that the weight of the car greatly affects the fuel economy.
Power accessories, like automatic transmissions and air conditioning,
also require more fuel.
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