What's everyone's opinion on the new 35 mpg rule?

[M3350Z]

Going into effect in 2020 enacted by CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) and put into action by the senate. I think it will be a beneficial step towards the progression of the automotive industry and hopefully will eventually cease our dependence on oil. I'm wondering how greatly this is going to effect the market and what kind of choices we will be seeing within the next decade. What do you guys think about this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpora...e_Fuel_Economy

[M3350Z]

Just to compare, I did a quick calculation of BMW's current harmonic mean fuel consumption and it's about 22.7 mpg and that's HWY dealer estimates. I guess this is going to be a pretty huge change.

[Couch]

I think it's a bit bullshit. Not that I don't think we need higher fuel standards, but it's more like putting a bandaid on something. Then in a few years they'll rip it off and want a new one.

IMHO, we would be able to get far more miles out of a gallon if it weren't for the continual addition of emission reducing parts.

[lyndon_h]

Originally Posted by Couch

IMHO, we would be able to get far more miles out of a gallon if it weren't for the continual addition of emission reducing parts.

Maybe so, but what would the air in Houston or LA be like if we didn't have emission reduction laws?

Personally, i think its good that the guidelines are being raised. Car companies have gotten lazy and haven't invested in the technologies needed to innovate. There is not one change that is going to curb our dependence on oil. The solution is going to come from multiple sources, and this is just one.

[ksfrogman]

As long as I don't have to have a family of Echo look-alikes in 10 years, I'll be okay.

[561design]

Fuel economy has been improving for years. It's just that the cars are getting bigger and havier.

[epbrown]

The only real solution is cars that don't run on fossil-based fuel. Saying we want to reduce our dependence is like a heroin addict saying he's going to cut back - even if he succeeds, he's still a heroin addict.

[Couch]

Originally Posted by lyndon_h

Maybe so, but what would the air in Houston or LA be like if we didn't have emission reduction laws?

Personally, i think its good that the guidelines are being raised. Car companies have gotten lazy and haven't invested in the technologies needed to innovate. There is not one change that is going to curb our dependence on oil. The solution is going to come from multiple sources, and this is just one.

Don't disagree.

[DANMACINSD]

We obviously need to lower emissions, no denying that. By 2020 the technology will be so advanced I can probably take a sh*t in my tank and drive from SD to Florida. Making the reach won't be as difficult as people think. Just last weekend I averaged 27 mpg going to bimmerfest!
Either way I don't care what they do, as long as the car has sub-5 second 0-60's and it doesn't look like a damn Prius!

[foxman]

Originally Posted by M3350Z

Going into effect in 2020 enacted by CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) and put into action by the senate. I think it will be a beneficial step towards the progression of the automotive industry and hopefully will eventually cease our dependence on oil. I'm wondering how greatly this is going to effect the market and what kind of choices we will be seeing within the next decade. What do you guys think about this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpora...e_Fuel_Economy

Total BS because it does nothing to address consumption. See chart below, consumption and therefore imports continue unabated based on growth in the economy and other factors. Note when consumption was declining, we were in a major recession.



CAFE has had no meaningful impact whatsoever on consumption.

CAFE has forced smaller cars upon us - which are generally less safe.

We have driven more and more miles with CAFE. From 1977 to 2001, the number of miles driven every year by Americans rose by 151% -- about five times faster than the growth in population, according to data compiled for a 2006 report to the U.S. Department of Transportation. What impact has CAFE had on miles driven? CAFE makes it more possible to drive our smaller cars for more miles and pay the same total gas price.