“The United States accounts for about a quarter of all oil consumed daily.
Of this amount, about two-thirds goes to transportation.
“Meanwhile, average fuel economy in this country has been steadily slipping
from a high of 22.1 miles per gallon in the late 1980s. Last year, the
average vehicle on U.S. roads was getting 20.7 miles per gallon.
“The reason is that, like junkies perpetually seeking a better high, U.S.
consumers keep buying bigger and fatter rides, as evidenced by the
unceasing popularity of sport utility vehicles.
“The average car or light-duty truck sold in the United States last year
weighed a staggering 4,021 pounds, according to the Environmental
Protection Agency. This is the first time in almost three decades that
average vehicle weights have surpassed 2 tons.”
—
“ So here we are, married to our SUVs, beholden to OPEC, hungry for our
next fix.
“It's a bad situation. And it will only get worse.”