Fuel saving laws could change the future of motoring

President Obama’s plans to reduce carbon emissions by increasing fuel efficiency standards in the United States have sparked a heated debate. On the one hand reduced fuel consumption means less dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, and will contribute to a cleaner environment. On the other it could cause problems for the US car industry, which is already struggling with the recession.

The new laws allowing each state to impose its own standards for fuel efficiency will ensure limited carbon emissions and will be a long overdue first step by the US towards dealing with global warming. The issue was largely ignored by the Bush administration, though many people, including fellow republicans like California’s governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have been campaigning for these changes for a long time.

In time all the manufacturers, even prestige brands like Audi, Mereceds and BMW – all the names we’ve been told to aspire to - will be forced to move towards designing greener cars and new fuel technologies.One thing's for sure, even with government money these new cars will not be cheap.  So perhaps the more expensive brands like Audi may even have to reconsider their marketing strategies and think about introducing other options for buyers such as offering an Audi lease agreement as an alternative to buying outright.

Cash-strapped consumers will also be faced with a difficult decision. The current market for cars makes it easier than ever to find a bargain, with the slump in sales leading to marked reductions in the cost of used as well as new vehicles. However, if the UK government were to follow in Obama’s footsteps drivers could be faced with high taxes for carbon emissions if they choose the wrong car now.

Perhaps the answer is not to buy that new Merc, or Beamer or Roller (if  those are your dream cars), but instead enter a Mercedes lease agreement with the option of renewing and upgrading your vehicle in the future. You'd be getting the best of both worlds - your dream car now at a fixed and predictable monthly price that’s easier than taking out a loan (that's if you could find an institution willing to lend you anything!) and the possibility of being one of the first to benefit from the new fuel saving technologies and save even more money in the future!