President Promises Payoffs for Energy-Efficent Cars

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The average price at the pump in Oklahoma Wednesday was $2.19 for a gallon of regular unleaded, which is nearly 30 cents higher since April.

It could all change if President Obama's plan for more fuel efficient cars comes to pass.

Drivers said they are in support of fuel efficient cars and cleaner air, but wonder if the money saved at the pump is worth the risk they take when they get behind the wheel.

Driver Arthur Schmidg said he's glad to be filling up a fuel efficient car and supports having more of them on the road, but isn't completely sold on President Obama's plan to cut fuel consumption.

"I think it's a great thing, but I think they are going about it wrong," Schmidg said.

The president wants automakers to produce cars that average 35 miles per gallon by 2016.

It's a turnaround some worry could create problems down the road.

"It takes time for the auto industry to make these changes," Schmidg said. "You can't just do them overnight."

The concern is auto makers could make a lighter, smaller car that could put drivers at risk.

"A lighter car typically has less metal in it, has fewer safeguards along the sides and top and front and back," said Chuck Mai of AAA Oklahoma. "In the event of a crash, more of a likelihood of injuries and death."

Part of the plan is to give car manufacturers an incentive to create new technology without compromising safety. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office said it's too soon to speculate what will happen when the new cars roll out.

"It will be really difficult to tell how it will impact highway safety because we don't know what kind of vehicles the manufacturers are going to produce as a result of this inactive," said Sabrina Mackey of the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.

Drivers may save at the pump, but the new standards mean a fuel efficient car could end up costing you an extra $1,300.

The president said the extra money drivers will pay for a fuel efficient car will be made up for in about three years due to gas savings.