Posted on 10/15/2012 12:56:00 PM PDT by 92nina
Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) codified their war on American drivers by finalizing new car mileage mandates, otherwise known as CAFÉ standards. Increasing the cost of new cars by thousands of dollars, new CAFÉ rules will require cars built in 2025 to get at least 54.5 miles per gallon. With current 2011 cars averaging 28.6 miles per gallon, the EPA is going to require automotive manufacturers to nearly double fuel economy standards in a little more than a decade.
While the Obama administration has made the 2009 Auto-Bailout one of the center-pieces of their re-election campaign, the reality is that these new rules will affect and cost consumers more money. Emily Wismer, Policy Analyst for Independent Women’s Forum writes:
While it sounds fantastic to drive twice as far on each tank of gas, this extra efficiency comes at a large, up-front cost to consumers: New cars are expected to cost about $2000 more because of this mandate. As a result, many potential new car buyers will be priced out of the market. The effects of higher new car costs will ripple into the used car market, as fewer families will be able to trade in old vehicles for a new car. That means less supply and more demand for used cars, and higher prices for used cars as well.
Ms. Wismer’s $2,000 figure might actually understate the actually cost of complying with the EPA’s newest mandate. Bill Underriner, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, estimates that the new regulations could increase the cost of new cars by $3,000 which would “shut almost 7 million people out of the new car market entirely and prevent many millions more from being able to afford new vehicles that meet their needs."
The Obama Administration hails new CAFÉ rules as a necessity to save consumers money at the pump. If higher mileage standards are inherently such a good deal, one has to wonder why the government must ratchet up CAFÉ rules. Consumers are more than capable of deciding what car they would like to drive and what they fill their car up with. Next time you hear about a government mandate coming to save you money, make sure to hold on to your wallet.
Read more: http://atr.org/epa-finalizes-yet-another-expensive-mandate-a7249#ixzz29OoJiskx
Ubama should be chauffeured around in a bullet-proof Civic.
And they wonder why the auto industry is bankrupt.
Pray for America
I wonder if these standards are even feasible or physically possible without forcing the great majority of future cars to be like motorized roller skates, like the "Smart Car".
Government is stuck on stupid.
“I wonder if these standards are even feasible or physically possible without forcing the great majority of future cars to be like motorized roller skates, like the “Smart Car””
I recall something Chief Engineer Scotty told Captain Kirk:
“Cap’n, ah cannot change the laws of physics!”
Apparently the EPA believes such changes can be made at its diktat.
One of the first things President Romney should do when he reaches office is to request Congressional legislation striking down these new EPA regulations, with the promise that he’ll sign same as soon at it reaches his desk.
I'm going to go broke with the goobermint trying to help me save money. If they'd just let the markets work without screwing with it all the time.
It will be more than that. My motorcycle doesn't get 50 mpg.
I recall something Chief Engineer Scotty told Captain Kirk:
“Cap’n, ah cannot change the laws of physics!”
Reminds me of a study I read re CAFE standards many years ago.
Higher CAFE standards = lighter cars = more deaths
Pure physics.
The only way they are feasible is by downsizing. I have a 67 Camaro (which is admittedly a gas hog) so I have been trying every trick to get mileage up. The Camaros drag coefficient is actually pretty good, and modern cars have close to maxed out on mileage gains there. Changing the transmission helps a lot, but Chevy already has a 6 speed automatic so they’ve gotten the gains there. Electronic fuel injection and computer metering have already been standard.
So, you are really left with downsizing in weight and cross section. I don’t think people will be happy, they will all keep their old cars.
Are you kidding? This will be the next big thing in the auto industry. It's a virtual blank check, written our of all of our checking acounts.
I'd surprised Obama & Co. didn't trot this out any sooner. "It's not a tax. It's not a bailout. It's - it's ...(wait for it, wait...wait for it...here it comes...) it's for the children.
The long bed version is only 5 feet long bumper to bumper.
CAFE has work arounds like giving away electric cars with diesel engine cars. Or classifying golf carts as electric cars to meet the quota.
Only little bitty and dangerous cars meet this standard, and I’m including the current hybrids in that category.
This may just be an effort to end car production, forcing everyone to walk, use public transit, ride bikes or own a small electric car with limited range.
Just where is the Republican party members of Congress on this EPA writing law issue?? Nowhere to be found.
And decrease safety.....
My motorcycle gets about 48mpg, but the heater, air conditioner and windshield wipers don’t work.
And the cost of tires negates any fuel savings.
What's the alternative to the new CAFE standards?
How about buying a quality car, probably foreign made, and then keeping it running for decades instead of buying a new one as soon as you pay off this one?
I can easily foresee a future where the most important inheritance will be a well maintained antique car because it will be worth more than the grandparent's house. The CAFE standards WILL depress the auto market and they WILL increase unemployment numbers (but not for the EPA bureaucrats).
EPA rulings, recess appointments ,amnesty, permits for oil drilling, you name it.
Reopublicans are quiet.
As a fellow 67 owner, I’m surprised you’d drive it enough miles to even worry about the fuel economy.
No doubt. Still more fun than a cage.
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