Ask the Car People.SM


If 62 MPG Becomes Law... - READ ONLY

36 messages,  Last post on Jul 28, 2011 at 5:56 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views-Archives Forum.

What is this discussion about? Legislation

Messages Page 2 of 4

#7 of 36 . by andre1969

May 09, 2011 (11:28 am)

If this move to a 62 mpg average involves a lot of electrification, I hate to think of what that's going to do to electric rates!

#8 of 36 Re: . [andre1969] by bhill2

May 09, 2011 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (May 09, 2011 11:28 am)
I hate to think of what that's going to do to electric rates!
 
I am very interested in that too. I have heard estimates all over the map, including opinion that the rates will actually go down. The argument is that generating capacity will not need to increase because recharging will be done at night when other demand is low. Therefore, the fixed costs will not increase and will be spread out over a larger number of kilowatts delivered. However, this depends on just how many vehicles are charging at night and on the effects of running the power plants at higher output 24 hours a day so I am dubious.

#9 of 36 Re: If 62 MPG Becomes Law... [fintail] by hpmctorque

May 09, 2011 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: fintail (May 09, 2011 10:43 am)
It's hard to apply the right auxiliary verb. "Won't" implies certainty, whereas "may" covers a range of probability.

#10 of 36 Re: If 62 MPG Becomes Law... [lemko] by hpmctorque

May 09, 2011 (2:02 pm)

Replying to: lemko (May 09, 2011 6:20 am)
A moped is probably too thirsty with two aboard.

#11 of 36 Re: If 62 MPG Becomes Law... [hpmctorque] by nine51

May 11, 2011 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (May 09, 2011 5:41 am)
I guess we will all be driving eggs with bike tires. You can't legislate physics. Even the best hybrids only get into the 50's on average. More electrification will help for those who drive short range, but "plug-ins" will be running on coal or nuclear power. Is that a good thing?

#12 of 36 Re: If 62 MPG Becomes Law... [nine51] by hpmctorque

May 11, 2011 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: nine51 (May 11, 2011 1:27 pm)
I agree with you.

#13 of 36 don't forget by nippononly

May 15, 2011 (8:00 am)

62 mpg is the raw number - Prius is already well ahead of that proposed 2025 standard in the year 2011. The new compacts like Focus and Cruze are at 50+ mpg on this scale, as are larger hybrid sedans like Fusion hybrid.
 
It won't be hard to get to 62 mpg for cars, I don't think. The problem is for automakers to get their fleet average to 62 if they also sell trucks, SUVs and large crossovers. But if they could sell 100K 75-mpg compacts per year for instance, they could sell lots of those big guzzler vehicles even if they made only high-40s (which would equate to a rating in the low 30s on the Monroney sticker).
 
This isn't as extreme as it sounds, and it is certainly a much needed step. But I'm sure the automakers will succeed in diluting it for the sake of their profit margins, so I'm just hoping the feds do instigate at least the much weaker 47 mpg standard.

#14 of 36 Now It's 56.2 by hpmctorque

Jul 03, 2011 (3:17 pm)

The administration wants new American cars and trucks to average as much as 56.2 miles per gallon by 2025, roughly double the current level. Regardless of what the final number is, the big question remains, will American motorists want to buy these cars? The verdict for hybrids and electric vehicles so far is, not so much.

#15 of 36 Re: Now It's 56.2 [hpmctorque] by andys120

Jul 04, 2011 (2:56 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 03, 2011 3:17 pm)
Regardless of what the final number is, the big question remains, will American motorists want to buy these cars?
 
Ask yourself what gasoline will cost in 2025 and the question answers itself With gas at $7-$8/gallon we'll want 75 or even 100mpg. Mileage standards have saved the bacon of the Detroit makers more than once in our lifetimes.
 
That said a gas tax is a better way to make our fleet more efficient.

#16 of 36 Re: Now It's 56.2 [andys120] by hpmctorque

Jul 04, 2011 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Jul 04, 2011 2:56 pm)
"...a gas tax is a better way to make our fleet more efficient."
 
I agree, and it's also simpler.

Messages Page 2 of 4

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement