Fuel economy standards don't just save you money

You may have heard that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed rolling back the CAFÉ fuel efficiency standards for vehicles. The upside of that change would be that automotive companies could build vehicles more cheaply. Will that ever show up in car prices? Maybe. But what are the down sides? Most of the debate about the standards is their impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While I am a firm believer that burning fossil fuels is driving climate chaos, there are many other more immediate impacts on every one of us from less efficient vehicles. Lower fuel economy standards would mean that Americans will burn more fuel. What's the impact on us? Cost The easiest impact to measure is at the gas station. Obviously, the more fuel you burn, the more fuel you buy. The average Tennessean drives 16,442 miles per year. At the current $2.45 a gallon, if you drive a Dodge RAM 1500 with its 15 miles per gallon EPA rating, it will cost you $1,980 more each year than if you drive a Toyota Prius rated at 57 mpg. Air Pollution As we all know, vehicle exhaust is not healthy to breathe. This toxic stew contributes to smog and exposure to smog is associated with reduced lung function and increased asthma, cardiac problems, cancer, emergency department visits, hospital admissions and all-cause mortality. Vehicle exhaust contains: Mobile-Source Air Toxics MSATs include more than 20 chemicals including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene, naphthalene, n-hexane, 1,3-butadiene, methyl tert-butyl ether, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein. These are known to cause respiratory problems, cancer, immune system damage, neurological, reproductive and developmental disorders and other health problems. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) These gases are nitrogen atoms with varying numbers of oxygen atoms, hence the use of an "X" instead of a number. They are eye, nose, throat and lung irritants that can cause fluid buildup. They react with sunlight and other pollutants to form ozone, a major component of smog. Sulfur Dioxide Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with sunlight and water vapor to create sulfuric and nitric acids which make the air taste sour and produce acid rain. Particulate Matter These tiny particles remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. The PM2.5 (2.5 micrometer or less) are most concerning because they penetrate deepest into the lungs. Per engine, diesel engines produce substantially more PM than gas. Fortunately, gas engines far outnumber diesel. Carbon Monoxide A colorless and odorless gas, carbon monoxide inhibits the blood's ability to carry oxygen, leading to headaches, dizziness and even death at high concentrations. Incomplete combustion is the main cause of CO emissions, so it is important to maintain a well-tuned engine that burns cleanly. Besides, why waste fuel? So, even if you don't accept the well-established science that demonstrates humans are dramatically altering our climate, there is good reason to be concerned about the more immediate financial and health impacts of lower CAFÉ standards. ••• Rebecca Cummings is a retired engineer living in Unicoi who, along with her husband of 40 years, enjoys exploring the beauty of the mountains, streams and waterfalls. Her deep Scottish heritage feeds a strong drive to conserve money and resources and to protect the area's beautiful environment for future generations. She is interested in hearing from readers. Email ConservationErwin@gmail.com to contact her.