| If you live in the United States, then you are well | | | | cars. It is extremely strong. In fact, it is 5 times stronger |
| aware of the increasingly high gas prices. With no | | | | then steel and 2/3 lighter. Lighter cars mean the need |
| reprieve in sight, individuals are looking for ways to | | | | for less fuel. Manufacturing a car from carbon fiber |
| save at the pump. They have tried a plethora of things, | | | | would reduce that vehicle's weight by 60%. As this |
| including purchasing hybrid vehicles, converting their | | | | relates to oil, cars would require 30% less fuel. This |
| engines to run on water and other alternative fuels. | | | | would automatically reduce an individual's budget for |
| Some car manufacturers have made baby steps to | | | | gas by 30% without making any changes. Imagine if |
| address the problems. Designing and rolling out smaller | | | | car companies would begin using this material to make |
| cars that are more fuel efficient and the manufacturing | | | | cars and then uncovered an affordable, alternative fuel |
| of hybrid vehicles have been the few ways that car | | | | source. The gas crisis would be over! |
| makers have attempted to address the problem. | | | | High fuel prices are not only affecting individuals at the |
| Prices at the pump are so high due to the increasing | | | | pump. It also takes oil to fuel electricity and keep |
| cost of oil. There was a period in time where the | | | | homes warm and cool. Many Americans have seen |
| West was the predominate place on the planet where | | | | an increase in their electric bills. |
| a large part of the population people had vehicles. | | | | However, the increasing costs to keep cars running |
| Today that has changed. Developing and advancing | | | | has risen to extreme levels and is expected to |
| countries are seeing more of their citizens purchase | | | | continue to rise. As a result, driving habits in America |
| cars. This means that there is a greater need for oil | | | | will have to change if nothing else does. Car |
| and gasoline in other countries. This drives up the price | | | | manufacturers can help alleviate the problem by |
| of oil. Oil is a finite resource and this fact also makes it | | | | developing lighter, stronger cars that go further on less |
| much more expensive. | | | | fuel. One way to do this is through the use of carbon |
| To fight rising oil costs, our country must make some | | | | fiber to make cars. The material is extremely strong, |
| changes. Finding an affordable alternative fuel and then | | | | durable and light, which would reduce the fuel |
| setting up the infrastructure to support it, is one way | | | | consumption of the automobile by 30% without taking |
| that this problem can be addressed in this country. The | | | | anything else into consideration. This would be helping |
| continued manufacturing of small, fuel efficient cars is | | | | Americans financially and our planet as well, because |
| another option. One alternative that has not gotten | | | | of the lower amount of emissions released into the |
| much press is the use of carbon fiber. | | | | atmosphere. By manufacturing cars from carbon fiber, |
| Carbon fiber is a material that can be used to build | | | | greenhouse emissions would be reduced by 10%-20%. |