The future is here, well, almost — It seems that Vancouver, British Columbia officials have decided that it will be beneficial if all new parking lots in the city are graced with car charging ports.

Not only will it be made mandatory for these ports to appear in new parking facilities for apartments or other housing complexes but they will be added to government owned parking lots currently standing today.

While this is a great idea and a push towards a more greener society, is it really necessary right now? I mean, are there really that many plug-in electrics on the road that could utilize these?

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Tags: british colombuia, charging ports, legislation, parking lots, Plug-in, vancouver

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The automotive industry finds itself in a bind these days, torn between stopping the re-use of some auto parts and helping consumers buck the economic trend. Depending on how you look at it, it looks like the retirement bill made for these parts which are taken from vehicles turned in for end-of-life processing may eventually be up for debate.

The critical nature of this kind of broad legislation is twofold. First, American automobile repair businesses and consumers purchase these quality recycled vehicle components every day to keep their vehicles running. These businesses and consumers rely on parts from recycled vehicles because of their substantial savings in reduced repair costs and lower insurance premiums, savings from the purchase of a replacement vehicle, and also for the strong environmental benefits.

In fact, these two parts alone typically account for some 50% to 60% of a professional automotive recycler’s sales — overall automotive recycling is a $22 billion industry in the United States. Thus, Congress should understand the demand for such repair options, and consider the implications of restricting them.

The recovery, reuse, and resale of these quality recycled parts must remain readily available to the consumer who may not want or be able to financially retire their vehicle and will require access to parts from these vehicles for their future repairs.

(Source) Press

Tags: american automobile, auto parts, automobile repair, automotive industry, bind, congress, consumers, economic trend, environmental benefits, insurance premiums, legislation, recycler, recycling, repair businesses, repair options, retirement bill, substantial savings, vehicle components

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Carmax Inc. has vouched to help urge Congress to include used cars in the “Cash for Clunkers” proposals. By including used vehicles, this legislation is better positioned to promote fuel efficiency, save jobs, and help more Americans afford a car. One legislative proposal that does include used cars is S. 247, sponsored by Senators Feinstein, Schumer, and Collins.

“More people will be able to participate in the program, more jobs will be saved, and more fuel-efficient vehicles will end up on the road by including used vehicles,” said Tom Folliard, president and chief executive officer. “Excluding this segment of the auto industry could potentially have a negative impact on millions of American workers and thousands of U.S.-based businesses. Nationally, used car sales outnumber new car sales nearly 3 to 1.”

Including used vehicles in the legislation will have the following benefits:

• Help More Americans Afford to Buy a Car
• Save More American Jobs
• Increase the Number of Eligible Fuel-efficient Cars on the Road

(Source) Press

Tags: auto industry, carmax, carmax inc, congress, fuel efficiency, fuel efficient cars, fuel efficient vehicles, jobs, legislation, legislative proposal, new car sales, proposals

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