Posted on 03/23/2024 11:10:00 AM PDT by Drew68
How one quick trick in 2012 changed the way America drives—and undermined its climate rules
In less than a decade after that change took effect—between 2012 and 2021—the EPA found that the percentage of new vehicle sales classified as passenger cars and those classified as light trucks has essentially flipped. In 2012, 64 percent of new vehicle sales were classified as passenger vehicles, while 34 percent were classified as light trucks. By 2021, light trucks accounted for 63 percent of sales while passenger vehicles accounted for 37 percent of sales. “Sedans have largely been replaced with taller vehicles such as truck-like sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs),” the agency writes. Pickup trucks’ share of new cars sales jumped from 10 to 16 percent over the same period. During that time, the overall average footprint of new cars grew by more than 5 percent.
American autos aren’t bigger because consumers have suddenly embraced off-roading, the construction trades, or home improvement projects. They’re bigger because automakers want to escape regulations. Each manufacturer is required to comply with boutique greenhouse gas emissions standards, which are calculated based on the size and capabilities of the cars in their fleets. Smaller cars are held to different standards than larger cars. So are those with specialty features like all-wheel drive or large towing capacities. By changing the makeup of their fleets, in other words, car companies can change the standards to which they’re held. Those greenhouse gas emissions targets are measured in grams of carbon dioxide or its greenhouse gas equivalent per mile.
As the EPA points out in its impact analysis, carmakers’ shift to larger vehicles has undermined the effectiveness of EPA regulations. The recent, rapid growth in car size, the agency writes, “has permitted compliance under higher numerical standards.” As a result of the increased average footprint of cars, automakers in 2021 could emit eight more grams per mile than in 2012. The EPA had projected the rules it implemented that year would result in average targets that were 22 grams per mile lower than those that were actually in place in 2021. And it therefore projected its 2012 rules would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 percent per year from 2012 through 2021. Instead, the agency found it reduced emissions by about 2 percent per year.
The EPA—which did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication—seems aware of the sweeping, unintended consequence of changing the way that cars are classified. I’ll be writing soon about the ways its new tailpipe emissions rules do and do not address that challenge. On its own, though, the agency’s analysis of how dramatically its policies have shaped the way Americans drive should serve as a cautionary tale for just how influential even the most boring regulatory shifts can be when it comes to long-term emissions.
That car looks similar to the late-1940’s hybrid 2-dr sedan my son-in-law parked in my driveway for several years. I called it a hybrid because it was chopped and lowered, and had body parts from several makes of cars. He parked it here in California until he was able to transport it to Iowa where he and my daughter moved. Roof chopped so the windows were short, and the body lowered below the frame, so close to the ground. Awesome to drive, during the times I needed to move it around. Iowa doesn’t have the stupid EPA rules like California, that limit you.
I noticed that. I had a Ford Expedition and it has a similar shape to a 1931 Ford Model A 4 door.
UAW labor makes Big Three sedans prohibitively expensive. The end result is that nobody wants a Big Three sedan for two reasons: (1) Japanese and Korean manufacturers build better ones, and (2) when compared on the basis of a monthly car payment, there’s no reason to buy a crappy sedan if you can get a small SUV for just $20 more per month.
naaa, it all started when they killed off the stationwagon, for our own good of course...
Fixed it for you.
Two bits of legislation would put most of this right.
#1, Repeal the 1935 NLRA. Let "collective bargaining" go back to what it by rights should be: price fixing (which is contrary to the Sherman Antitrust Act).
#2, Tort reform. Loser pays. Frivolous lawsuits will come to a screeching halt.
It bears mention that the numbers of personal injury lawyers practicing in America went up six-fold (per capita) when SCOTUS ruled it was unconstitutional to prevent attorneys from advertising. After which the shysters began trolling the gutters for specious claims to mount a lawsuit on.
It's now an entire industry based on over-insured corporations who find it cheaper to buy off claimants than to contest the claim and go to trial.
And they simply pass along the costs to the consumer, you and me.
And they got rid of station wagons for suv’s.
Last really good station wagon was a model by Volvo. Much better aerodynamics with a station wagon versus a suburban or similar SUV.
Bring back the Vista Cruiser!!
Volvo still has two wagons,V60 and V90. Also a couple Audi Allroads, and a Mercedes.
Our last three vehicles have been SUV’s, and EPA rules had nothing to do with why we bought them. In fact, two of them were bought before 2012.
Dodge Charger HellCat Wagon
Porsche Taycan Wagon
The Lefties at the New Repuclic (which 30-40 years ago was not so far Left) just can’t believe that automakers were simply responding to changes in what people wanted.
Everything the feral government touches turns to poop.
Women also find the AWD function reassuring.
Since many cars are leased first, the dealer can sell a previously leased SUV.
“Bring back the Vista Cruiser!!”
My mom’s brother has one! Metallic gold with 455 in it. He did a ton of work to it. Better suspension, all electronic ignition, 750 Holley, and more. He get 23 and 27 mpg in that beast! And it is so beautiful!
Yes. My oldest daughter never showed any interest in helping work on my vintage cars, which I modified and rebuilt engines. But her boyfriend popped up with his cars, and all of a sudden she's helping him. That's life! Got married and have kids now, before the move to Iowa. He also has a 1966 Chevelle SS, and she has a nice Mustang, and they have a Jeep. Lots of space in Des Moines to work on them, without the crazy rules of California to deal with.
Hoosiers are hicks,
They live in the sticks,
And like little cars that make noise and drive on BRICKS!
I've never been to Indiana. But if it's anything like Kansas, Texas, Iowa, or Minnesota where I have stayed, then I suspect you are trying to keep Californians out!
It’s pretty sad that you have to go to the Midwest to enjoy California car culture. Road salt may be bad for classic cars, but progressives are worse!
Out here in the great
expanses of west Texas/
eastern New Mexico,
there could be as much
as 200 miles between
services. EV’s simply
won’t work for ranchers,
or those in the oilfield
industries. You’re going
to spend more time
charging your EV than
working. And things get
much worse during the
cold weather months.
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