‘Banning Automatic Transmissions would go a long way to improving Fuel Economy.”
That is an absurd statement! The automatic transmission, when coupled into the vehicle’s PCM, provides better economy that a manual transmission.
As someone whom is actively researching for a newish car I have round that many current cars with CVT (automatic transmissions) get better fuel economy than manuals.
CVTs are theoretically able to get better fuel economy in the city and likely do if programmed to do so. Stop/Start engine control features are a much bigger effect.
CVTs have a poor history for durability.
A m/t out on the open road is at least as efficient as a CVT, given proper axle ratio and m/t gear ratios.
Classical Physics in everyday experience is still The Law.