New federal clean fuel regulations, which take effect on Canada Day, are designed to cut pollution from vehicles. Although there won’t be much of a change to pump prices across the country on July 1, experts say, there will be a noticeable increase several years down the road. (Kyle Bakx/CBC)
Something left out of every discussion on fuel price is consumer choice to purchase large, fuel inefficient vehicles. And no, “best in class” fuel efficiency doesn’t mean shit if you are riding a vehicle several “classes” above what you actually need.
It’s like the third rail, can’t talk about it, even suggesting someone didn’t actually need an F150 to commute to work is a cardinal sin. Of course, of course, you need that truck because you bought a seado, which you 100% also needed. Your a bad driver, so.you had to protect yourself in a mobile fortress, makes sense. What do you mean you know the difference between a want and need? A luxury and a nessecity?
Look at any list of top selling vehicles. Trucks , SUV and crossovers dominate the top of the lists. Even when hatchbacks or smaller vehicles are on the list they’re often “sporty” models that themselves are not efficient.
The single biggest thing most people could have done to help dodge higher fuel prices is to have chosen a more efficient vehicle. Full stop.
The very last thing we should be considering is whinging about increasing fuel costs before looking at our own choices first. But I can feel it, I can feel someone out there getting all fired up at me about how I don’t know their life, how they need that Land Rover because the kids have hockey, as if we couldn’t get to hockey in the Toyota Terecel days.
Historically, fuel regulations have been wildly effective at controlling and reducing vehicle emissions. Improving and tightening those standards is another good step forward for our climate and air quality.
It’s a good move. Canada isn’t even close to hitting it’s climate goals. The only way to actually hit 1.5C climate goals would be to tax carbon extremely heavily, resulting in a massive drop in quality of life. However if we and other countries don’t pay that “tax”, then we will pay massive interest over the next couple generations. It’s a lose lose situation.
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