If there are any talk radio or Nation Public Radio fans out there you may have heard this earlier this week.
There is a group who wants to pass legislation for SUV vouchers. This program would allow SUV owners to turn in there vehicles to br crushed and get cash towards buying more fuel efficiant cars. OK, you say this sounds like it could work, BUT... They want GM, Ford, Daimler-Chrysler to foot the bill. Like this would ever happen. In abstract this sounds like a good idea. There are many flaws. To simply crush a good SUV without salvage is not only wastefull, but an environmental and economical nightmare. There are tons of hazardous materials generated from crushing that most non-car people never consider. Mercury switches (and there are many) ooze from the metal block of former car. Plastics, interior foam and insulation gives of toxic fumes when melted down.
I spent 14 years in the environmental sector and have seen all kinds of things.
Giant car shredding machines with recovery pits under them full of chemicals and metals which could contaminate groundwater.
On the other hand there are millions of trucks and vehicles which will need affordable used replacement parts to keep them going. If you crush everything in site, there will be no spare parts left. Small companies with delivery trucks cant afford to replace their trucks every few years.
I now work for the local goverment (city engineeering) and we actually have a
truck and SUV shortage. I had to drive an old Chevy Corsica loaded with field equipment off road. Not an intended purpose for a front wheel drive car. We need a SUV donation to municipal government program. Our city is too broke to buy more trucks.
Ben