Decent article that I read today in the print edition of C & D. There's a nice table and graph (but a little hard to read online) of the % increase that each automaker is projected to need to reach by 2016. How Automakers Will Meet 2016 CAFE Standards - Feature - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver
And all they'd have to do is either introduce more hybrids, diesels or reduce engine size or some mix of these. Dead easy. All the manufacturers need do is look over this side of the pond. Granted some of the diesels won't meet US emissions, but a lot of the petrol cars do or can do with minor tuning. Only problem is, will the American public want to drive a slightly slower, less powerful car?
new regs are too easy. selling credits is a joke. only continues to allow too many exceptions. we have let it all slide too long. all these 2016 standards should be much greater. the previous CAFE standards set to be in place by 2000 exceeds this
This whole program is going to be made inconsequential IMO by 2016 and 2020. Why? The price of fuel will be so high that every rational person that drives a significant distance each year will be fighting and demanding more and more fuel efficiency from every maker. The current 50 mpg Prius G3 may still be at the upper end of the 'availibility spectrum' but I doubt that it will be the leader as it is now. Midsized sedans like the Fusion and Camry and Accord will likely all be hybrids of one sort or another achieving 2.5 gpc (40+ mpg). The smaller compact cars will be where the Prius now is IMO. We will be on the cusp of the 'electification era' at that time. If fuel is regularly $6 or $8 or $10 per gallon the guzzlers of today will be dinosaurs or dedicated solely to the wealthy for whom the extra expense is a minor irritation.
