We were about 7.5 years ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partnership_for_a_New_Generation_of_Vehicle
s

"The 80 mpg diesel-hybrid GM Precept ... The 72 mpg diesel-hybrid Ford
Prodigy ... The 72 mpg diesel-hybrid Chrysler ESX-3 ..."

Best of all, look who opposed it:

"Ralph Nader called PNGV "an effort to coordinate the transfer of
property rights for federally funded research and development to the
automotive industry"." Ralph got his wish, GW Bush in 2000.

Bob wilson

Perhaps not, but without some government regulation, our cities
would be full of smog from ozone emissions and toxic particulates;
our rivers and streams full of carcinogens, mercury, raw sewage
and toxic waste; pesticide poisoning, like DDT, would kill off whole
species, like the bald eagle; manufacturers would be free to sell
products that cause the death of infants and children; cars would
not have seatbelts and crashes would result in human remains
splattered on the roads; pharmaceutical companies would sell drugs
they knew would not work; the meat packing industry would sell
meat laiden with ecoli and other toxins... I could go on.

No government may not be the end all, but without standards, but
not many would want find your would liveable.  There may be
excesses to be sure, but the logical extension of the conservative
agenda means eliminating agencies like the FDA, FTC, FAA, EPA,
SEC, National Huricane Center, Product Safety Commission, etc.
Even under cnservative darling, Ronald Reagan, the VA became a
cabinet-level department, and the workers on the federal payroll
rose by 61,000 -- by comparison, under Clinton, the number fell
by 373,000.   [Soap box /Off]