Posted on Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.
Fuel goals strain carmakers; 60 m.p.g. standard sought by '25
By Heather Lockwood
The 35.5 m.p.g. goal for automakers by 2016 may soon be surpassed with a loftier goal for 2025.
The Detroit Free Press reports that environmental groups are "pushing the White House to raise the fuel economy bar as high as 60 m.p.g. by 2025."
The article goes on to explain, "As early as Thursday, President Barack Obama may discuss how much better he thinks the industry can do by 2017 and beyond. There will be months of review and public comment before specific new standards are set."
Read the full article here.
Comments
AlphaAlpha
Thu, Sep 30, 2010 : 6:47 a.m.
Couple points - There are currently two Volt variants: the hybrid, and an all electric, not yet for sale; the third-fuel cell-was shelved for now-too pricey. Tesla and the others will struggle for a few more years; the batteries are just not quite where they need to be. They need one more advance... There is so not a conspiracy between autos and oils. Very little love lost there. Just no other cheap options. Yet. It's coming. And, ironically, when the alt fuels become more common, oil prices will fall, changing the competitive dynamic yet again. That's another story... EyeHeartA2's numbers are essentially correct; the electrics just don't make economic sense yet, and the allusion to their eco-friendliness is valid; electrics create more pollution than oil driven cars; just not at the tailpipe. How ironic some unenlightened environmentalists seek wider use of the more-polluting electrics. With respect to unenlightened...the first comment calling 60 mpg a no-brainer is so specious, it defies rational response. Perhaps that individual will found UGBK Motors, selling nice vehicles the public wants with an "autonomy of 60 mpg". The old Yugo plant needs a tenant...
AlphaAlpha
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 8:39 p.m.
Ross is correct. This story is a trial balloon; it will soon be forgotten. Remember California's (long since repealed) Zero Emission Vehicle laws. Political support for 60 mpg approaches zero, like some approval ratings...
Ross
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 3:20 p.m.
Oy. Both of your comments are so painful, in completely opposite ways. Ugotta, no, it is NOT that simple. Making a 7 passenger SUV with 4 wheel drive and enough power to accelerate faster than muscle cars of the '60s ever dreamed of is not possible in a 60mpg platform. What's that? We don't need giant hulking super powerful SUVs? Well, I agree, but the rest of the country seemingly does not. Automakers are only guilty of responding to consumer demand: cheap, powerful, roomy cars. Don't forget that federally mandated safety equipment ads hundreds of pounds of weight to new vehicles, further compromising efficiency. If you look at new vehicle designs, American automakers are beginning to use a lot of small, cheap tricks to extract more fuel economy. I used to drink the conspiracy cool-aid too, but I have to believe that collusion between automakers and big oil is now non-existent. Building a more efficient vehicle will only garner MORE sales of said vehicle - there is no rational motive for suppressing efficiency. The so called "granola crowd" needs to stop believing that the technology is sitting on the shelf and automakers just refuse to release it to us; that is ridiculous and counter-productive. We will all likely witness the struggles (and probable failures) of ALL manufacturers (not just American) to reach the current 35 mpg standard for 2016. EyeHeart, why pick on Tesla over this? They are pioneering electric vehicle sales in the modern era and should be commended. We can judge them fully by the success of the upcoming model S which will certainly be much more practical (and affordable) than the current roadster. On the other hand, I drive a 2003 diesel Volkswagen Jetta that runs on 100% bio-diesel in the summer (no modifications necessary) and returns OVER 50 mpg, even with 4 people and luggage on board. If CARB and the EPA weren't so anti-diesel (this is a much more probable source of big-oil conspiracy, IMO) we would have a far better shot at hitting our desired CAFE targets.
UgottaBkidding
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.
On this issue, it's a no-brainer...carmakers are perfectly capable of making cars with an autonomy of 60 mpg. What they are fighting against is their cushy collusions with the gas and tire industries...they should also get more into the electric train business...