Big 3 Petition EPA for CAFE Relief

To me it's clear that the auto manufacturers will have to continue to add cost to their products in which this added cost is always passed on to the consumer to meet this new standard.

This CAFE policy may force the manufactures to give up certain markets (i.e. trucks capable of towing serious loads). Also if your not currently selling a lot of fuel efficient cars to help meet the corporate average your days could be limited.

With the current and (likely) future administration, I don't see much potential in any relief on this.

Just for grins I was looking at new F150's. The vast majority had the new 2.7 EB engine. 3.5EB's and 5.0's were scarce.

Recently, the EPA changed the testing methodology for fuel economy so that it more accurately reflects what the consumer see. Just made it harder for every manufacturer to reach their goal.

Hell with fuel economy. Find a way to fight rust. I see vehicles on the road that would disintegrate if involved in an accident. Totally unsafe death traps. People have to drive them because they can't afford anything else. Washington is out of touch.

The ruling class out of touch? No way.

As an engineer I just love the way politicians and marketing folks all seem to think the hard part about technological innovation is having the future vision and making the decisions to move forward toward those visions, regardless of the limitations imposed by physics or the seemingly insurmountable technology barriers. It's like once they've made the decision all the ignorant visionless engineers will get off their backsides and make it happen.

variable valve timing, overhead cam.
direct injection of fuel.

now variable compression.( 8:1 to 14:1 ). with turbocharging.

just more trouble ahead.

and YES, Rust is a bigger problem. for 1/2 of the country anyway.
lost way to many good cars and 1 truck to Rust... from New.

As a 20 something year old Im happy to see emission regulations. Sure there are some hiccups afterword, but it puts the pressure on manufacturers to create technology that does not destroy our air quality, environment, mine and your children's and grand children's futures. Fossil fuels are an age old technology. Tesla found out how to create electricity out of thin air decades ago.... I think we can find a happy medium where these rich folks can make a few dollars while not destroying the environment. It's way over due for changes like these and Im not sorry if some older folk get upset about "scary changes" if it's for the better.

daved9664 wrote:
As a 20 something year old Im happy to see emission regulations. Sure there are some hiccups afterword, but it puts the pressure on manufacturers to create technology that does not destroy our air quality, environment, mine and your children's and grand children's futures. Fossil fuels are an age old technology. Tesla found out how to create electricity out of thin air decades ago.... I think we can find a happy medium where these rich folks can make a few dollars while not destroying the environment. It's way over due for changes like these and Im not sorry if some older folk get upset about "scary changes" if it's for the better.

Wow - I live near two coal-burning electrical generators. Amazing the energy used to haul coal in, move coal, generate electricity, and send the pollutants into the air. Would love to understand how Tesla generates enough electricity for all current uses and future.