Sport Utility Vehicles

Sport utility vehicles, or SUVs, are a popular vehicle type, particularly in the United States. They now constitute one-quarter of all new vehicle sales, with increases in sales expected to continue. They are often marketed to consumers as a way of returning to nature—advertisements depict families enjoying a drive in the mountains or navigating rough terrain. In reality, these vehicles are harmful to the environment, even more so than other passenger vehicles. They rarely serve the purpose depicted in advertisements, because only about 5 percent of SUVs are ever taken off road.

Many assert the U.S. government has set up a double standard in fuel efficiency regulations. The federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) [Page 1654]standards were set in the 1970s. New passenger cars must achieve ...