The debate was held at a hearing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of the court ruling. The NHTSA's current standard of a fleet-wide avearge of 31.6mpg by 2015 is based on government forecasts that fuel prices will fall to around $2.40 per gallon by 2015, a fact that was an issue of contention during the hearing, reports the Detroit Free Press.
Several groups commented on the fact that this figure was a rose-tinted view of the future, and that fuel standards should be imposed on a worst-case scenario basis.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers stated that the proposal called for by environmental groups failed to take into account the costs associated with achieving the goal, and that it was not likely that it would be possible to improve fuel economy so drastically in such a short time across the industry. The Alliance represents General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Mazda and Mitsubishi.
Reader Comments
Tue Aug 5 2008 12:16 PM
Andrew says
What is the chance that we'll make it by then? Come on.
Tue Aug 5 2008 2:14 PM
Turkle says
This will not be the first time I have brought up this issue of the environmentalists unreasonable expectations concerning the auto industries' ability to phase in fuel efficient technologies and production procedures. The production cycle for most cars is 4-5 years. How does the government and environmentalists simply ignore this cycle? The industry cannot turn pivot on its heels and march to a new direction over night. Just because one vehicle (Prius) sells in droves does not mean that every consumer considering a new car purchase is ready to embrace a hybrid, or a diesel, or a smaller car, or a more fuel efficient car.
Create an environment where incentives displace overburdening regulation and edicts. Set a time line and stick to it, instead of setting a time line and then finding new ways to "stick-it" to the auto industry and consumers. Personal transportation is vital to this country. I know the Greenies try to ignore this fact, but cars, vans, and trucks are necessary.
Tue Aug 5 2008 2:46 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
A sneak peak at what already exists in Europe running on Diesel and at 35 MPG is already here just not on sale in the U.S.
As for the need for big vehicles? yes that need exists but no where near the voloume that currently exits. Most SUV/Truck sales in the U.S. are wants rather than needs.
We as Americans are starting to realise that smaller cars are coming and they are not all that bad. With the decline of SUV's and the fact over time there will be fewer on the roads smaller cars will also become safer.
We'll see I guess! Would'nt want to "Mark my words".
Tue Aug 5 2008 8:53 PM
Renton says
Environmental groups are really bad. They do not live in reality.
That is all.
Tue Aug 5 2008 10:37 PM
chris says
look, I'm just going to say that the environmental groups are doing what they feel they need to, and the govenment is resisting in the face of industry lobbiests, but let's just consider what is going on here...
most compacts and sub compacts got 35mpg today. you can guarantee that by 2015, every one of them will be over 40mpg. expect midsized cars to be at 35mpg... just as a matter of the way the technology has been progressing to date. you start thinking about the turbocharging, light weight construction, and the smaller engine's we're hearing about day in and day out? i think 35 mpg will be hit by 2020, and 2015 wouldnt be much more of a push.
here's why: trucks make up a very large portion of todays car sales, even now. but how many people do you think are going to keep buy trucks at $4 a gallon? not many. canada was at $4 a gallon last year, and now at $5 a gallon. hatchbacks and CUV's have historically sold in greater numbers here. the best selling vehicle in canada for the last 10 years running has been the civic. not a truck, not an SUV, not even a midsized car. a compact. very soon people will start to realize that they will have to get into smaller vehicles to be able to keep their car budget where they're used to. between gas, and the rising prices of vehicles in general,.. this change will happen.
the CAFE equivalent rating in canada is a couple MPG higher than it is in the states simply because our gasoline is more expensive, and always has been. we've got the same sort of geography as the USA... we've got rockies, we've got plains.. we've got hilly mountains in the east.. we've got a more expansive nation and very similar cultures. infact i'd be willing to bet that we do more camping, RVing, and long distance travel by car... per capita... than americans.
you'll all get used to smaller cars. the motor heads will realize that smaller and lighter cars give you more acceleration and better handling.. people will enjoy being able to park their cars easier, etc.
in the end, it's going to be a culture and market change moreso than the introduction of technology that pushes this CAFE rating higher. It will happen. I guarantee you by 2010 you'll see the CAFE trends jumping quite a bit.. with relatively few new products compared to the years before.
Wed Aug 6 2008 2:06 AM
bambam says
One step at a time please,
Let me change my car first then you change yours and
then we can move forward even more, like you suggested by 2015.
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