Featured It turns out that Akio Toyoda was right

Does the US, NTSB, have a roll-over/roof strength specification? I know the EU has for several decades now, but I don't think the US has one in place - they're relying on the EU standards. Since most cars are manufactured to global safety specifications; with minor tweaks to meet local laws n standards.

 

It is not just wide pillars One reason I bought my 2008 Corolla was because I saw the upcoming design that came in 2010 where they raise the bottoms of the rear windows, adding blind spots. IMO that was just a design decision and now everyone is doing it

 

Unless they don't get a federal waiver.

It's far from clear that the "right thing" is for everyone's car to have a very large battery in it. If it were that clear, you wouldn't need the force of government to enforce your view.

Operate without a large, heavy and currently expensive battery.

There is a difference between legislative authority to regulate emissions and authority to prohibit them. That difference is one of policy that pertains to the opinions in the MA and VW cases.

Since a monopoly requires enforcement against putative competition, and a free market doesn't restrict competition, the enforcement of the restriction on competition wouldn't be a result of a free market.

Other than markets that are limited by geographical control of a natural resource, what monopoly exists without supporting government enforcement?

I accept the concession that prohibiting sale of a product reduces consumer choice. Certainly the prohibition on sale of leaded gasoline where the same cars also run on unleaded fuel is a less consequential restriction.

So the mandate is unnecessary? Outstanding.

 

The US does have a roof crush standard.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/fmvss/Roof_Crush_Final_Rule.pdf

I wasn't speaking California level.. The gradual tightening of federal fuel economy and emission regulations will result in a car company offering just hybrids, or higher prices for conventional ICE cars has the company buys CAFE credits from others.

Battery tech and costs have been improving faster than expected. When the Volt came out, GM claimed the battery was around $900 a kWh. For the Bolt, it was down to $100 per kWh. There is another ten years before a person won't be able to get a conventional ICE in California.

If PHEVs are allowed, the emissions aren't prohibited.

A free market allows competition to take on the dominating company in the field, but it also allows the dominate company to take actions that are regulated against in the current market. Or they simply buy out the little guy.