Comment Log Display

I would like to weigh in on this topic as my position and
experience in the towing and automotive industry provides
perspective on the prior, current, and future ramnifications of the
proposed regulations. As one of the founders of AutoReturn, the
current contract holder for all of the municipal towing in San
Francisco I am aware of the (additional) costs the proposed
regulations will have. However I grew up in the towing and
automotive repair business (in SF CA), and witnessed first hand the
effects of similar regulations as they were applied to passnger
cars. Back in the 60's and 70's I was strongly against the emission
regulations. Their initial affect hurt performance and economy, and
raised the cost of purchase, maintenance and repair of cars.
However it did not appear to be a battle that could be won, and I
became an automotive technician, and obtained a license to perform
smog checks. During the 80s and especially the 90s, things changed.
With the technology that was developed, cars regained lost
performance and fuel economy. While many older cars are remembered
fondly for their style, anyone with automotive knowledge will agree
that modern automobiles perform far better in every respect, while
emitting a small fraction of what pre 70s cars did. For those in
the know the hot tip is to put modern drivelines in vintage cars
for the best of both worlds. 

I am still no fan on CARB; it is an inefficient organization that
can be inflexible to creative solutions that are not vetted by
their approved processes. However I do support the proposed truck
and diesel engine emissions regulations. Unfortunately I am in the
minority with my opinion within my industry. Yes there will be some
increased costs initially, but if history repeats itself as so
often is the case; the long term benefits will show that these
regulations like those imposed decades ago for passenger cars were
the driving force for the needed change. My mind was changed
witnessing the improvements to automobiles through the years.