{"id":200,"date":"2012-08-28T11:24:56","date_gmt":"2012-08-28T16:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/foolsconfidence\/?p=200"},"modified":"2012-08-28T11:42:36","modified_gmt":"2012-08-28T16:42:36","slug":"so-what-would-jesus-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/foolsconfidence\/2012\/08\/so-what-would-jesus-drive\/","title":{"rendered":"New Fuel Economy Standards- So, What Would Jesus Drive?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

By Mitch Hescox<\/p>\n

For the first time since 1985, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards have been\u00a0finalized, raising fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles to 54.5 mpg by 2025. 10 years after\u00a0What Would Jesus Drive<\/a>\u00a0we finally have higher fuel economy standards that consumers are demanding. This is good for our wallets, human health, job creation, and national security.\"\"<\/p>\n

With the standards announced today the average family will still save from $6,000 to $8,000 through the life of the vehicle primarily through lower fuel costs. About 45 percent of our daily petroleum use goes toward driving our cars and light trucks \u2014 3.1 billion barrels\u00a0per year, the equivalent of 620 Gulf Oil Spills.<\/p>\n

Soot, smog, ozone-forming volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxide and carbon pollution contribute mightily to polluted air across the US. While we have made progress, 41% of Americans still suffer pollution levels that are too dangerous to breathe according to the\u00a0American Lung Associations\u2019 State of The Air 2012 Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fuel millage has had bi-partisan\u00a0consensus\u00a0for years, check out this brief history<\/a>\u00a0graphic for\u00a0what happened.<\/p>\n

This time, retired military, carmakers, labor unions, health care professionals, and other stakeholders all speak in favor of these standards. There is broad bipartisan support for the need for fuel economy standards, the first fuel economy standards were signed by President Gerald Ford. When making a car purchase 42 percent of consumers, in a recent Maritz Research study<\/a>, now rate fuel economy as a top priority.<\/p>\n

In 2002, EEN launched What Would Jesus Drive an educational campaign, which included a 30-second TV spot. That next summer EEN did a 14-city What Would Jesus Drive Bible Belt Tour with speaking engagements at local churches.<\/p>\n

We\u2019d love to see even further innovation. When companies invest in what consumers are demanding and what\u2019s good for God\u2019s creation, it\u2019s a win win. Let\u2019s work together to set a high standard of excellence that will encourage America\u2019s true entrepreneurial spirit.<\/p>\n

Check out the original What Would Jesus Drive TV spot below:<\/p>\n