The Next Generation Ford SVT Truck Is No Dinosaur
California considers tougher 44MPG standard

California considers tougher 44MPG standard

Viknesh Vijayenthiran February 25th, 2008 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author February 25th, 2008
  • Articles Contributed: 3143
  • Comments Posted: 0
  • Leaderboard Rank: N/A

December 31st, 1969 Carmakers are already fretting at the thought of achieving the new 35mpg CAFE standards imposed by the U.S. government, so imagine how they would feel if faced with a much stricter 44mpg being considered by California regulators. Officials are looking at raising restrictions over the next decade, culminating with a 44mpg standard by 2020 as proposed by the California Air Resources Board. California is the single biggest market for cars in the world but what’s worse for carmakers is that a further 15 other states plan to adopt the new rules as well. Combined, these states account for more than half of the total U.S. market, so such a rule would almost certainly dictate the kinds of cars and trucks sold across the entire country, reports Automotive News. As expected the industry is opposed to states setting their own greenhouse rules but major presidential candidates, John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are all in favor of the idea. If it were to come in, there would have to be a 62% improvement in fuel economy over today's vehicles. Another major hurdle would be convincing people to downgrade to much more fuel-efficient models, no easy task in car crazed California.
California considers tougher 44MPG standard

California considers tougher 44MPG standard

Enlarge Photo

Carmakers are already fretting at the thought of achieving the new 35mpg CAFE standards imposed by the U.S. government, so imagine how they would feel if faced with a much stricter 44mpg being considered by California regulators. Officials are looking at raising restrictions over the next decade, culminating with a 44mpg standard by 2020 as proposed by the California Air Resources Board.

California is the single biggest market for cars in the world but what’s worse for carmakers is that a further 15 other states plan to adopt the new rules as well. Combined, these states account for more than half of the total U.S. market, so such a rule would almost certainly dictate the kinds of cars and trucks sold across the entire country, reports Automotive News.

As expected the industry is opposed to states setting their own greenhouse rules but major presidential candidates, John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are all in favor of the idea. If it were to come in, there would have to be a 62% improvement in fuel economy over today's vehicles. Another major hurdle would be convincing people to downgrade to much more fuel-efficient models, no easy task in car crazed California.

Tags: Industry

Posted in: News


Comments (8 total)

Meet the top commenters on the Leaderboard

  1. By Ink Master #1, Posted: 2/26/2008

    44MPG by 2020? 50 at the very least... :/

  2. By Michael D. #2, Posted: 2/26/2008

    That is the stupidest, most unfair proposal I believe I've ever heard!
    With laws like that, a Mini Cooper would be considered a land-yacht! That how a ludicrous law like that would result! Presidential candidates... I doubt they would trade in the Cadillac DTS-based limo for an armor-plated Aveo. Then there's the high-profile greenie's/environmentalists, they'll arrive to a meeting in a hybrid or a Prius, But return home to their lavish, stately mansions with driveways and garages with SUVs, large, luxury sedan's and high-end sports & GT rides!

    To quote GM's car-czar "Maximum" Bob Lutz (maybe not fully verbatim)...
    "To force consumers into smaller vehicles is like getting them smaller clothes and saying, here, go on a diet!"
    "I'm certain it won't sit well with luxury car buyers to not be able to purchase something larger than as Aveo.
    "Small trucks are good if your towing miniature horses"
    "Global warming is a crock of $=#@%*"

    This is how I feel about that absurd idea, the 35 mpg by 2020 average is lousy and unfair enough!

  3. By Paul #3, Posted: 2/26/2008

    Why does everyone put the burden of saving the environment on the backs of a faultering industry that is not the biggest polluter in the first place? The only reason these ridiculous standards are necessary is because we have cheap gas and politicians that will not raise the gas tax. So what problem are we trying to solve? Oh that's right. Let someone else solve it.

  4. By Ink Master #4, Posted: 2/26/2008

    Michael D. - whats that you say about luxury cars? BMW 5 Series gets 27mpg highway... and that can be bumped up even more...

    See, I'm not for forcing people into smaller vehicles, I myself drive a Cadillac but the way I see it is, the harder you make it for the manufacturers to reach the goals, the faster they'll develop better alternatives ie fuel cell, electric etc... If you don't push them, they'll still be at 15mpg by 2050.

    So I say raise the prices of gas in US to the European prices, make laws to force higher standards... when all is over the consumer wins.

  5. By HECTOR #5, Posted: 2/26/2008

    I've said it before and I'm saying it again: California is the most stupid State in the Union. Problem is, where they lead other stupid States follow. Massachussetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut... I'm looking at you.

    @ Ink Master: if you're so eager to pay European gas prices (which are inflated beyond market levels due to all the taxes) you can. After filling up your tank give an equal amount in tip to your gast station attendant. I like keeping my hard earned money in my pocket, thank you very much. And about making laws to force higher standards. You know what a camel is? A zebra designed my a governemnt panel. So keep government as much as possible out of the automotive business.

  6. By SixtyNine #6, Posted: 2/26/2008

    In all fairness - their intentions are good (I think).

  7. By Ink Master #7, Posted: 2/26/2008

    HECTOR, I wonder how much days that zebra of yours will last in the desert :)

  8. By g__ #8, Posted: 7/16/2008

    in the UK and probably the rest of the EU, the gallon is actually bigger than the US, as its 4.95 litres, whereas US one is 3.8 I think.

    can be confusing

Post a Comment

Post anonymously
Sign In |
will stay private
your 'posted by' name will link to the URL

More from MotorAuthority

More from High Gear Media