SUVs, what are they good for?

By Maggie Shiels

California could lead the United States in outlawing sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

The big four-wheel-drive cars are often depicted as Public Enemy Number One by environmentalists because of their high petrol consumption.
While green activists praise the proposal as a major step forward, critics predict the legislation will fail because SUVs are so popular with drivers.

"God saw that it was good and Jesus says, love thy neighbour as thyself, yet too many of the cars, trucks and SUVs that are made are polluting our air," goes an advert in favour of the ban.

Despite such provocative campaigns, Americans love their cars and the bigger the better.

Even divine criticism has failed to dent phenomenal sales of the SUV.

California legislators believe the answer is a fuel-efficient compact car that gets more than the average 13 - 16 miles a gallon an SUV gets.

Heavy pollution

Low mileage is one reason that the state's treasurer, Phil Angeledis, is sponsoring a bill which will outlaw SUVs from the state's 73,000-strong car pool.

Quote:

By beginning to eliminate SUVs from our state fleet... we can set an example - a leadership example
Phil Angeledis
California state treasurer

"Well I think the state has an obligation to set an example," said Mr Angeledis.

"And if we can reduce air pollution, reduce our dependence on oil, if we can cut our costs, then we should do so...

"By beginning to eliminate SUVs from our state fleet, which is one of the largest public fleets... we can set an example - a leadership example."

While California would be the first state to introduce such legislation, the Republican governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, has indicated he is also looking into a similar ban.

Environmental groups across America are praising California's efforts, particularly because the state is home to nine of the 10 most ozone-polluted counties in the country.

Environmentalist Russell Long of the Bluewater Network says that, with over 30 million cars on California's roads every day, this is an important first step:

"California represents about 2% of global warming emissions altogether.

"As air temperatures increase, we have greater smog and greater smog also leads to a greater incidence of asthma and respiratory infection and premature death."

'Mostly couples'

The consumer organisation which represents SUV drivers, says the legislation is misdirected. Jason Vines is the president of SUV Owners of America:

"Today's most popular SUVs on the market, like the Chevrolet Trailblazer and the Ford Explorer, those vehicles have the same exact emissions as old passenger cars and they have lower emissions from the tailpipe than a passenger car built just three years ago.

"As far as fuel economy, I can't argue with you. Most SUVs get worse fuel economy than a small car but yet they're safer."

In California, the must-have set of wheels is the Hummer H2 - a $60,000 civilian version of the military Humvee.

Gerry Schumacher of Team Hummer in Marin, 32 kilometres (20 miles) north of San Francisco, explains who is buying:

"I would guess less than 10% are true off-roaders. I would say 60% are couples that are between 35 and 55. Another 10 or 20% are single men who just need a 'chick magnet'."

While the Bill's sponsors try to slam the brakes on SUVs being part of the nation's largest vehicle fleet, it is unlikely that Californians as a whole will end their love affair with the gas guzzlers any time soon.