Comments on: Auto Execs Debunk Own Lobbyists' Myth About Stronger CAFE Standards

By: cld

cld — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 22:14:20 +0000

“I know what you are saying is true. I recall reading somewhere that CAFE would only be enforced using the EPA test method that was used prior to 2008. The EPA test method was changed in 2008 to be more conservative. I’d like to learn more about this. Do you have a link to an article that explains this in detail?”

http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-AIR/2006/February/Day-01/a451.pdf

See Section I. D. (page 12)

“Today’s proposal does not alter the FTE and HFET driving cycles, the measurement techniques or the calculation methods used to determine CAFE. EPCA requires that CAFE be determined from the EPA test procedures in place as of 1975 (or procedures that give comparable results), which are the city and highway tests of today, with a few small adjustments for minor procedural changes that have occurred since 1975.25″

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:42:32 +0000

@Jim, AFAIK, CAFE is based on laboratory measurements, dates back to the 70′s, generated by the EPA during its testing of vehicles for emissions levels and for determining compliance with Federal emissions standards.

By: Yegor

Yegor — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:58:20 +0000

"Therefore, light-vehicles sales would drop by 25 percent, killing about 220,000 jobs"

1. Electric, Hybrid cars are more complex therefore require more labor to produce. Therefore no job loss - actually may be more jobs.
2. "The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers", how long will you think about yourself? Think kind gas price hikes destabilize economy leading to recessions and depressions. We have to stabilize the energy price by turning to electric and extremely fuel efficient cars.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:48:12 +0000

@Jim, I think a new trend is already emerging. From a NYT article that I recently read, higher gas price and a depressed economy already moved home buyers more towards ‘smaller’ (relatively speaking) houses closer to urban centres and less towards large new houses in new developments further away.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:41:43 +0000

No I don’t have a link, but the certainly make it all confusing don’t they?

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:39:52 +0000

Anon,

Yes I'm sure the V will be delayed until fall at least. I really want something with more space than I have now, so the regular Prius is certainly still an option but the Civic is not. But I would prefer larger so I am leaning toward the V or C-Max Hybrid.

By: jims1961

jims1961 — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:37:11 +0000

Eric,

I know what you are saying is true. I recall reading somewhere that CAFE would only be enforced using the EPA test method that was used prior to 2008. The EPA test method was changed in 2008 to be more conservative. I'd like to learn more about this. Do you have a link to an article that explains this in detail?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:30:32 +0000

I would not be surprised if Prius v is delayed by a few months, say to late summer/early fall. BTW, I wonder what’s the price of Prius v? I worry that some will have sticker shock. Why not a Prius or the new Civic hybrid? They are already available.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:26:43 +0000

What a bunch of crap by the lobbyists! I have vowed to never buy a vehicle again that doesn't get significantly better mileage than my '02 Civic. And I don't mind paying a premium to stick it to big oil and breathe cleaner air. We are going to be starting a family soon which means the Prius V or the C-Max Hybrid (if it comes out soon enough) will likely be my next purchase.

Also, most people don't realize 60MPG CAFE really equates to only about 43MPG on the window sticker. I think this point needs to be explained in the media more often, as I think this will eliminate some of resistance to improving the standard that much.

By: jim1961

jim1961 — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:24:19 +0000

I don’t think higher CAFE standards alone will reduce greenhouse gases significantly. I recently bought a Honda Insight and I tended to drive more miles. If an automaker’s entire line up of cars has an increase in fuel efficiency then people who normally would buy a compact might choose to buy a mid sized car. With more fuel efficient cars people are less likely to used mass transit. Those who believe higher CAFE standards will save us should consider Jevon’s paradox. If Jevon were alive today he would be advocating a carbon tax and NOT higher CAFE standards.