Auto Emissions Research Paper Example

The investment in more environmentally friendly technology has been shaping the auto industry in the past years. In addition to the development of more fuel efficient vehicles and hybrid cars, some companies put a lot of efforts into improving related infrastructure and into making their products more accessible to the public. The main problems of electric and hybrid vehicles so far were their high cost and short travelling ranges. Auto producers have done a lot to improve their products in order to make them more affordable and suitable for everyday use. Thus, the concept of a city car was introduced. These cars had enough charge for daily commuting of urban citizens and combined fuel efficiency with small size that is essential considering the shortage of space in the cities.
It is hard to evaluate whether car producers are doing enough to decrease air pollution or whether more effort could be put into making the air cleaner. It is important to keep in mind that the ultimate objective of any company is to generate profit for its shareholders. That is why the level of investment into the development of more environmentally friendly vehicles and in reducing the level of pollution depends on the benefits and costs associated with the production of such cars. Moreover, the willingness of consumers to pay a premium for new technology is an important factor to consider in evaluating whether car manufacturers are doing enough to reduce emissions. In this case the role of the government in promoting more environmentally friendly vehicles is key. Governments should bridge the gap between consumer reluctance to pay more, the unwillingness of manufacturers to develop unprofitable technology and the need for emissions reduction. This could be done by a range of measure, such as higher environmental standards and monetary benefits to the consumers purchasing more efficient cars. Moreover, governmental investment into infrastructure development for electric cars could make them much more attractive for consumers.
It is hardly possible to argue that further efforts should be made in improving the quality of air and in reducing emissions. However, it is not entirely fair to put the burden of the new investment on car manufacturers only. In this case, the role of the government is key in promoting more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies by making them more attractive both for car producers and consumers.