California Regulators want 40-Plus mpg by 2020
While most major automakers are still trying to wrap their heads around an industry standard 35 mpg by 2020 as mandated by new federal law, California and several other states are still working to make even that number quickly obsolete.
California regulators are preparing to expand greenhouse gas emissions rules, to force vehicles in that state to average almost 44 mpg by 2020. And it’s not just California either. Reports say that at least 15 other states plan to adopt the California rules, making nearly half the U.S. car market subject to a tougher standard. This means that the California decision would set a kind of de facto national standard, different from the federal one on the books.
Under the California rules, cars and the smallest light trucks would need to average 50.8 mpg by 2020, while other light trucks would aim for 33.5 mpg. Those numbers would amount to a 62 percent increase in fuel economy over today’s cars and trucks, where the new federal standards ask only for a 40 percent gain.
The real question on the California policy then, is whether or not it’s actually legal. In December of last year, the EPA blocked a move by California and other states to enforce their own greenhouse gas rules. Automakers continue to ask that federal courts declare the state rules illegal, saying that they are unrealistic, and could create chaos in the market. Meanwhile, states are suing to overturn the EPA decision, and all major presidential candidates, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain, say that they would allow the state’s rules to be enforced.
Are these kinds of mandated economy standards the exclusive purview of the federal government, or should the states get to choose for themselves? Have your say in comments.
+ Automotive News: Calif. regulators shoot for 40-plus mpg by 2020 (subscription may be required)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Comments
Bruce
What a wonderful day it will be when California falls into the ocean. Insted of making unrealistic laws, the state and national governments should be helping to develope technology to raise the bar on efficiency. Insted states like california are working to make cars illeagal. Why not, lets just ban cars alltogether! Stupid!
GsoFast
Only California will save us from mid-east oil. Suck on that Saudi...
Goose
Stop selling in California: It's obvious they don't want them . . .
And as expensive as auto development is, it should only be interfered with by Federal level authority . . .
john
I live in SoCal and the hypocrisy is almost unbelievable. Most of all government vehicles that I see aren't even flex fuel. Some of the public transportation is "Green" but not much. The shipping ports create immense pollution but they don't regulate that to the extreme they do with cars! But we have the Indian casinos to inject us with much needed revenue, for what I don't know. It isn't to buy new, fuel efficient government vehicles.
Jon
You've got to be kidding. Only from the land of spaced-out fruits and nuts. Great idea: let 'em walk.
JoeDE
ROFL - 40mpg plus is reality!
As a CEO of a German company we decided for a new fleet in 2005. Now none of our cars - except 3 for the management - is below 40mpg diesel. Every one has space for 5pax, offers driving comfort and is good for more than 125mph when needed.
What are you waiting for in the States until 2020?
chartguy
Yet another example of why California is called "La-La Land".
chartguy
JoeDE,
Unfortunately, California has passed emissions standards that would likely prohibit the diesels your company chose. Whatever the Federal standard, it's never good enough for California.
boxerman
Remember the California electric cars?
Statistics seem to indicate that 15% of CO2 emissions comes from Transport, so why pick on cars for such a minimal gain.
Also for all the money wasted getting to 40mpg why not just leap ahead and spend the money on alternative energy and a hydrogen ifrastructure, it will cost less and work better.
BillyBob
WHY just 40 MPG...why not 80....100...125?
H. Smith
European car manufacturers group, ACEA, says that of the 15 million cars sold during 2007 in Europe/EU:
* 53% were diesel
*10 % were rated less than 120 g/km [which generally results in 45 mpg(US) combined average fuel economy or better]
*“gas-guzzling … SUVs, are also seeing high demand, … also taking a 10 percent share of the market
Post new comment