3 ms·
Disclosure: I work for GM. All of the regulations CAN be met... but it is increasingly difficult to meet emissions, MPG, and Safety regulations, AND satisfy cu
by csours 11y ago
Disclosure: I work for GM.
All of the regulations CAN be met... but it is increasingly difficult to meet emissions, MPG, and Safety regulations, AND satisfy customers.
Safety equipment increases weight, which lowers MPG.
More efficient engines are generally smaller and less powerful, which does not satisfy customers.
In the VW case, reducing NO2 emissions lowered MPG due to the burn-off process.
One change to the fuel economy law that is sorely needed is changing the standard from MPG to Gallons per Hundred Miles. Differences between GPHM measurements are easier to understand [1].
1. http://billso.com/2008/06/21/gpm/ http://billso.com/2008/06/21/gpm/ - See chart
- com2kid 11y ago> More efficient engines are generally smaller and less powerful, which does not satisfy customers. They are also less safe for freeway driving. On a recent vacation, I recently visited Albuquerque NM, driving around there requires a fast powerful engine to get up to speed ASAP, or accidents will happen. In comparison, when I visited Boston, I rented a Fiat 500 and loved it, it was perfect for zipping around a those old narrow winding city roads, in and out of traffic, and finding parking. Heck I didn't pay for parking in Boston once while I was there! Freeway driving is the norm for most of America though. A tiny engine won't due, it will however get someone ran over.