I had a 55mpg Geo Metro back in '92, 20 years later we have a Prius C with about the same mileage (although the Prius is much better around town.)
But we also have a station wagon and an old pickup. I think one thing that makes it hard for the average US car owner to go for very efficient vehicles is that at least some trips will require more passenger and/or cargo space. Given that gas is still relatively cheap there's not enough incentive to buy an efficient car if it's the only car you buy.
Seems like it would be pretty easy these days to insure/register/tax a fleet of cars for a household and encourage the cheapest alternative. Soccer mom could still use the minivan a couple times a week but use the Prius for shopping trips. You could meter each car and then pay a usage-based fee at the end of the month.
But we also have a station wagon and an old pickup. I think one thing that makes it hard for the average US car owner to go for very efficient vehicles is that at least some trips will require more passenger and/or cargo space. Given that gas is still relatively cheap there's not enough incentive to buy an efficient car if it's the only car you buy.
Seems like it would be pretty easy these days to insure/register/tax a fleet of cars for a household and encourage the cheapest alternative. Soccer mom could still use the minivan a couple times a week but use the Prius for shopping trips. You could meter each car and then pay a usage-based fee at the end of the month.