> -----Original Message----- > From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu On Behalf Of David VanHorn > Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 4:14 PM > > > I remember something gas powered from toyota(?) in the late 70's that > got 40+, and I seem to remember 50-ish highway. The 1982 Honda Civic got 41 mpg city and 55 mpg highway, the problem was that by then the worst of the gas crisis in the US was over and gas prices fell drastically up to 1986. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic The falling price of gasoline, especially when adjusted for inflation, was the major market force preventing the introduction of more fuel efficient cars in the US. When looked at using inflation adjusted dollars we still pay less for gas in the US than we did in 1980. http://www.randomuseless.info/gasprice/gasprice.html Add on the exemption from fuel economy standards for trucks/SUV's and tax exemptions for SUV's used for business and it's easy to see how the USA ended up where we are. Someone I know wanted to buy an efficient Volvo wagon for her work as a lawyer a few years ago. The tax incentives loophole made the BMW SUV less expensive so that's what she bought. Although she is groaning over gas prices now the financial calculations still show her coming out ahead with the business use heavy SUV tax loophole. Paul Hutch > > For my money, disposable ceramic turbines with electric generators are > the way to go, the infernal contraption engine is a kludge. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist