POLITICS
Fuel Prices Will Change Car Habits: Obama
2008-05-25 08:51am
Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama said Saturday current high prices for fuel will change American driving habits, with more people shunning SUVs for smaller, more efficient automobiles.
Obama told reporters on his campaign plane that he himself owns a hybrid vehicle, though he admitted he doesn't drive it much.
The Illinois senator has made climate change and energy use a major part of his campaign. As prices continue to climb for motor fuel, Obama has called on American car companies to increase gas mileage standards.
Without actually saying Americans should abandon their SUVs, Obama said higher fuel prices would lead to a shift.
"We've seen that this quarter. People are changing their behavior and we've seen a slump in the sales of SUVs and big trucks and a drastic spike in cars both medium size and small," he said.
(c) 2008 Newsroom.