The Dangers of Body-on-Frame Vehicles
Location
A119
Document Type
Presentation
Type
EnACT
UN Sustainable Development Goal
UNSDG #12: Responsible Consumption and Reduction
Start Date
24-4-2024 9:50 AM
End Date
24-4-2024 10:05 AM
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of and propose restrictions on larger, body-on-frame vehicles to decrease pollution, damage, and safety. All three of these issues can largely be attributed to the weight and size of body-on-frame vehicles. Noise and atmospheric pollution are caused by the weight and inefficiency of body-on-frame vehicles, as a higher weight decreases fuel efficiency and increases tire noise. Heavier vehicles cause more damage to roads and any infrastructure or property they crash into. Additionally, due to the height of the grilles of most body-on-frame vehicles (eg. pick-up-trucks, large SUVs), they have a higher chance of killing pedestrians by striking their vital organs. The height of their hoods also increases the forward blindspot, shown by the striking picture of nine children sitting in front of a modern pickup, invisible to the driver. They are also less stiff and have a higher center of gravity, resulting in a higher chance of rollover and injury to the occupants of the vehicle itself as opposed to a vehicle of unibody construction. This project aims to levy an excise tax on body-on-frame vehicles purchased for non-commercial use, to incentivize the purchase of unibody vehicles, which are safer and more efficient. In the US in 2023, the top three vehicles sold were the Ford F series, Chevrolet Silverado, and the Ram pickup. All three of these vehicles are body-on-frame pickup trucks. Those same three vehicles place first, second, and fifth respectively in value penguin’s “Deadliest Vehicles” study. Light trucks, according to energy.gov, have an average fuel efficiency of 17.5 miles per gallon. However, the average fuel economy for the sedan/wagon class was 31.7 mpg in 2021, more than 1.8 times higher. This project will counter these prominent issues by disincentivizing the purchase of these types of vehicles in exchange for safer, more efficient vehicles. This furthers UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, by making our travel more energy-efficient and safer.
The Dangers of Body-on-Frame Vehicles
A119
The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of and propose restrictions on larger, body-on-frame vehicles to decrease pollution, damage, and safety. All three of these issues can largely be attributed to the weight and size of body-on-frame vehicles. Noise and atmospheric pollution are caused by the weight and inefficiency of body-on-frame vehicles, as a higher weight decreases fuel efficiency and increases tire noise. Heavier vehicles cause more damage to roads and any infrastructure or property they crash into. Additionally, due to the height of the grilles of most body-on-frame vehicles (eg. pick-up-trucks, large SUVs), they have a higher chance of killing pedestrians by striking their vital organs. The height of their hoods also increases the forward blindspot, shown by the striking picture of nine children sitting in front of a modern pickup, invisible to the driver. They are also less stiff and have a higher center of gravity, resulting in a higher chance of rollover and injury to the occupants of the vehicle itself as opposed to a vehicle of unibody construction. This project aims to levy an excise tax on body-on-frame vehicles purchased for non-commercial use, to incentivize the purchase of unibody vehicles, which are safer and more efficient. In the US in 2023, the top three vehicles sold were the Ford F series, Chevrolet Silverado, and the Ram pickup. All three of these vehicles are body-on-frame pickup trucks. Those same three vehicles place first, second, and fifth respectively in value penguin’s “Deadliest Vehicles” study. Light trucks, according to energy.gov, have an average fuel efficiency of 17.5 miles per gallon. However, the average fuel economy for the sedan/wagon class was 31.7 mpg in 2021, more than 1.8 times higher. This project will counter these prominent issues by disincentivizing the purchase of these types of vehicles in exchange for safer, more efficient vehicles. This furthers UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, by making our travel more energy-efficient and safer.