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We need reforms to the method the EPA uses to calculate and enforce fuel efficiency requirements. It's the direct driver of the gigantifucation of vehicles.
by causality0 2y ago
We need reforms to the method the EPA uses to calculate and enforce fuel efficiency requirements. It's the direct driver of the gigantifucation of vehicles.
- bedobi 2y agoSimplest thing to do would be to just tax weight (at time of purchase and yearly) and require commercial license (only obtainable with demonstrable justification like running a business that requires hauling loads every day)
- toomuchtodo 2y agoStill need to force trucks to design the front to be as pedestrian friendly as possible.
- david-gpu 2y agoAnd ensure visibility! Those tanks on wheels can't see my children.
- denkmoon 2y agoPeople's desires are the direct driver of gigantification of vehicles. I assure you nobody buying a RAM or F150 gives two shits about EPA or fuel efficiency.
- kjkjadksj 2y agoPeople had no choice. When they come out with a new generation of car model they stop producing the old.
- admax88qqq 2y agoThere’s also still the insane 25% tariff on light trucks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax Which makes importing smaller trucks like you see in other countries cost prohibitive
- denkmoon 2y agoOnly the most frugal and businesses are thinking about that tariff. Ads for these excessively large "utility" vehicles (which have sacrificed bed size for cabin comfort and are often not 4WD) are very indicative. They don't talk about price (and when they do, it's focused on credit terms rather than the capital cost). They talk about power, lifestyle, and giving the perception of masculinity. That is why people buy these vehicles, and that is the mindset that drives their size.
- shiroiushi 2y agoThat's part of it, but not all: it depends on the buyer. People buying big trucks as a fashion statement are definitely doing it for this reason, but there's people who genuinely need trucks, and they're all bitching and complaining about 1) trucks costing $50k-100k because they're basically luxury vehicles and they don't make cheap, utilitarian versions any more, and also because all those fashion-statement buyers have driven up demand, and 2) that there aren't any small pickups available now, since many of them need a truck, but not a big truck. Some people have even taken to importing 25+ year old Japanese "kei" trucks (very very small utility trucks used in Japan) as "historic" vehicles and using those, but it seems some states are now trying to clamp down on this.
- jfim 2y agoThere's the Ford Maverick that starts at $24k and is relatively small.
- zombielinux 2y agoThat's exactly what we did on the farm. We've got the Maverick hybird which does 99% of the farm stuff. And we also have a tow equipped expedition that we use when we need to haul horses or the big trailer. The expedition also comes in handy when we regularly haul 6+ people. I've had the need for a gooseneck trailer maybe once in the last decade.
- causality0 2y ago
- ponector 2y agoNo choice? They can get Camry. Or van. Or wagon. Yet massive trucks have higher demand than ever.
- gnz11 2y agoThere are not many van or wagon options left in the US anymore. It’s really just sedan, truck or SUV at this point. In Europe you have all kinds of vans and wagons for sale.
- kjkjadksj 2y agoI grew up with people having vans or wagons instead of SUVs as well. It seemed like that went on even until 2008 screwed up most automakers lineups. It's hard to rule chicken or egg here: demand drying up or options drying up and therefore demand having nowhere to go but suvs and such. Seems to me its pretty obvious that options dried up before demand considering its hard to imagine selling 0 cars of a given model. Then once you go to say 10 different models of cars down to 3 or 4, what do you know, those 3 or 4 are selling more than ever for lack of other choice. Further justifying the decision to pare down the lineup. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy at a certain point.
- kjkjadksj 2y agoI thought we were discussing how trucks like the f150 have swollen in size?
- quantified 2y agoThere are lots of smaller vehicles than those.
- kjkjadksj 2y agoI'm not talking going to a different class car I'm talking when the given model inflates in size with a new generation. Some people still drive trucks from the 70s and 80s in california. They are remarkably tiny compared to trucks today, like a 1970s F150 seems smaller than a modern light truck like a tacoma, definitely lifted a lot less too based on a couple examples I've seen I assume to be relatively stock specs given the similarity.
- bedobi 2y agotrue! but we regulate people's desires in a million ways, so there's no reason why we can't regulate this too. I don't care if half of Americans want a monster truck any more than they want to fly attack helicopters and walk around with live grenades. it shouldn't be allowed, simple as that.
- HideousKojima 2y agoNonsense, I'd much rather drive a Tacoma but my F-150 was far cheaper. My ultimate preference would be a more modern (and safer) version of those Japanese trucks a lot of people import, but that's a legal/political issue. My super ultimate preference is a Hilux with a .50 cal mounted in the bed but I can't get the CIA to fund my organization yet.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- namibj 2y agoE.g. say non-CDL trucks can only have one seat in addition to the driver's seat. Bam, SUVs are really unattractive.
- HeatrayEnjoyer 2y agoGWB sure did a nice favor for those corps his last couple years in office
- geysersam 2y agoAre you referring to some specific reform? Could you give a link? I'd like to read up on it
- eru 2y agoYes, if by 'reform', you mean abolish. As you can see, those requirements just get gamed. Instead of complicated rules, just tax fuel (or emissions etc), and consumers will institute their own personal fuel efficiency requirements.
- beretguy 2y ago> just tax fuel (or emissions etc) No, because that harm small fun sports cars. The problem is big cars. Just ban big cars.
- ponector 2y agoFuel tax is the best solution. Pay as you go. More fuel you consume more emissions you produce, more distance you go, more road your wear occurs. Do you want to get 8l V8 engine? Fine, just pay your fuel taxes.
- gnz11 2y agoEach US state has a gas tax already. Higher gas prices also don’t seem to stop people from buying giant trucks and SUVs.
- AmVess 2y agoA reasonable well optioned truck is $75,000. People who can afford to spend that are immune from high gas prices.
- sjsdaiuasgdia 2y agoYou'd be surprised how many people look only at the monthly payment amount and ignore other financial concerns when deciding on a vehicle purchase. And perhaps with some terribly long loan term like 72 or 96 months they can get that payment to "fit" in their budget.
- 2y ago