MPG Ratings Will Drop Under EPA Proposal

375 messages, Last post on Oct 02, 2008 at 9:08 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

See this Edmunds.com article! EPA Overhauls Fuel Economy Estimates for 2008 - As the 2008 model-year cars hit the lot, shoppers will notice a big difference — the EPA has changed its fuel economy testing methods to produce mileage estimates that reflect "real world" driving habits. - (more)

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#276 of 375 Re: Oh My Lord [gagrice] by larsb Aug 21, 2008 (9:04 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Aug 21, 2008 8:48 am) Gary says, "How about the trucks that come from or across AZ with no emissions control? " Every state has emissions regulations. We have smog and emissions testing in AZ. So, Gary, since you are so convinced the EPA is doing SUCH a TERRIBLE JOB in light of all the contrary evidence, how would you prefer the country's air and pollution problems be solved and monitored, if not by a guvmint agency? Replies to this message: gagrice (Aug 21, 2008 9:21 am) gagrice (Aug 21, 2008 9:42 am) larsb (Aug 21, 2008 9:53 am)
#277 of 375 Re: Oh My Lord [larsb] by gagrice Aug 21, 2008 (9:21 am)
Replying to: larsb (Aug 21, 2008 9:04 am) Its simple. The EPA started out with a plan. They got the Lead out gas, a very good start. Then they should have gone after the big polluters, trucks, trains, planes and ships. When they get that all cleaned up start on the little guys. They have gone the other direction and leave giant loopholes for the big polluters to avoid emissions control. For example I read an article on rebuilding your old semi tractor engine will save a lot of money over buying a new rig with all the expensive emissions. Or all the guys in the muffler shops getting straight pipes on their big monster PU diesel engines. I know CA does not smog test any diesel cars or PU trucks. The EPA makes all these rules. What are they doing to enforce them? I have never heard of an EPA smog check anywhere I have lived. Some states do some states do not. What good is a law without enforcement? Even AZ only tests cars in metro Phoenix and Tucson. Replies to this message: gagrice (Aug 21, 2008 9:42 am) larsb (Aug 21, 2008 9:53 am)
#278 of 375 Smog checks [gagrice] by gagrice Aug 21, 2008 (9:42 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Aug 21, 2008 9:21 am) Does your state require smog tests on all vehicles in all counties? Most do not. http://www.dmv.org/smog-check.php Replies to this message: larsb (Aug 21, 2008 9:53 am)
#279 of 375 Re: Oh My Lord [gagrice] by larsb Aug 21, 2008 (9:49 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Aug 21, 2008 9:04 am) Since CARB is in charge in Cali - do you think they are letting this supposed pollution go unmonitored and unchallenged? CARB apparently CARES, but I'm not sure what their influence can do: In 2005, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) published a report on Mexican truck traffic in regards to the first phase of the trucking provision. Their findings report the following air pollution concers: - an extra 50 tons of NOx and 2.5 tons of particulate matter a day will be added to California's South Coast Air Basin - 66% of Mexican trucks are older (pre-1993) diesel models and do not have electronic fuel injection - 25% are diesel trucks older than 1979 having extremely high emissions of NOx and particulate matter - unlike the US, Mexico does not require trucks to use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel Well, apparently, CARB is using fines to enforce it: This from a 2006 story Mexican trucks entering California will soon face the same air pollution standards as their American counterparts, the California Air Resources Board ruled this week. Following a public hearing, the CARB board of directors voted Thursday, Jan. 26, to require the Mexican trucks to meet Environmental Protection Agency pollution standards. Although a 2004 state law already requires all trucks in the state to carry a sticker certifying that their engines meet emissions requirements, no fines were attached to the violation. Now, inspectors will be able to fine illegal operators up to $300 for a first offense, according to CARB’s Web site. So the problem is not being ignored Gary.
#280 of 375 Re: Smog checks [gagrice] by larsb Aug 21, 2008 (9:53 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Aug 21, 2008 9:42 am) Here is how diesel testing is required in AZ: Detailed testing requirements for diesel vehicles
#282 of 375 EPA OIG not responsible by gagrice Aug 24, 2008 (5:44 am)
I got my letter back with the typical US Government side stepping. They have referred me to another person at the EPA office of Transportation. I will email or call her and see if they are at all responsive. So much for Over sight. As I suspected the EPA has NO one that they are accountable to. I have not given up. Replies to this message: steve_ (Aug 30, 2008 7:57 pm) gagrice (Aug 30, 2008 8:31 pm)
#283 of 375 Re: EPA OIG not responsible [gagrice] by steve_ HOST Aug 30, 2008 (7:57 pm)
Replying to: gagrice (Aug 24, 2008 5:44 am) Try cc'ing your Congressperson (Duncan?) on the correspondence. Replies to this message: gagrice (Aug 30, 2008 8:31 pm)
#284 of 375 Re: EPA OIG not responsible [steve_] by gagrice Aug 30, 2008 (8:31 pm)
Replying to: steve_ (Aug 30, 2008 7:57 pm) I should just go see him. I can see his house from here. He is retiring. His son Duncan D. lives down the hill. We are supposed to meet him. Not sure when. I emailed the director that I was referred to a week ago. No response yet. I will keep all this and give it to Duncan D. Hunter when he wins in November. Give him something to do in the 111th Congress.
#285 of 375 Will the EPA screw GM like the did the VW TDI? by gagrice Sep 09, 2008 (4:41 pm)
The EPA is not sure how to rate the Chevrolet Volt's fuel economy, and GM isn't at all happy about it. the confusion stems from the EPA's classification of the Volt. Is it an electric vehicle (EV) with an onboard generator, or a hybrid vehicle that relies heavily on its electric drive? It's actually a little of both and a little of neither. The driving habits and battery-charging routines of the operator play a huge role in the classification of the Volt. In this configuration, the Volt can slip through about 85 percent of the EPA's test cycle without even firing up the gasoline engine. Using the EPA's standard formulas to calculate fuel economy, the Volt averages over 100 mpg. The EPA doesn't think that astronomical number is fair and has revised its tests with the requirement that the Volt finish the test with its batteries close to full charge, which means the internal combustion engine must run for the entirety of the test, dropping fuel economy to about 48 mpg. GM, of course, argues back that the EPA's new test isn't fair because the test isn't representative of the way the Volt was designed to operate and doesn't reflect the Volt's plug-in option for battery charging. The truth lies somewhere in between, but the EPA rating assigned will play a big role in whether consumers think the $40,000 Volt is a good deal compared with the Toyota Prius and the upcoming, and even less expensive Honda Insight. Just as I have always said. The EPA's one size fits all test STINKS. The lazy bums need to set up realistic tests for EACH technology.... Replies to this message: nippononly (Sep 09, 2008 8:14 pm) gagrice (Sep 09, 2008 8:18 pm) jeffyscott (Sep 10, 2008 5:35 am) gagrice (Sep 10, 2008 6:12 am) and 1 more...