Give a compelling argument for why we should get rid of CAFE standards?

Question

Give a compelling argument for why we should get rid of CAFE standards?

Answer 1

We can have CAFE standards, or pollution standards, but it is nearly impossible, the way the standards are written, to have both.

The current pollutions standards, which specify both the content of the exhaust, AND the method by which the exhaust is 'filtered' causes the engine to waste power in the attempt to control the exhaust output.  This reduces the ability of the car to get better gas mileage.

In order to have a CAFE standard at all, the government should limit themselves to mandating exhaust emissions only.  In theory, a car that gets better gas mileage should also have a cleaner exhaust, as more of the fuel is burned in the comustion process.

As an example, I had a 1987 F250 truck.  I rebuilt the top end of the motor, and while I was doing that I completely eliminated the emissions control hardware.  I also eliminated the Catalytic converter as well.  According to DOT, my truck no longer meets EPA standards, based on current law.  However, when I had the emissions tested, guess what.  I passed!!!!!  On top of that, my fuel mileage increased by 50%.

Now I am sure that part of my increase was due to the rebuilt heads, but not all of it.  I pass emissions and I have better gas mileage.  This should be a good thing, but if my truck were to ever be 'completely' inspected, it would not pass.

CAFE standards will only work if the government changes the EPA standards to a result oriented standard, rather than a mechanical hardware standard, otherwise, we will be looking at $40,000 Honda Civics very soon.

Answer 2

Well the biggest problem I've got with it is the idea that the government should tell the auto makers they have to build cars that people don't want.  While in a free market automakers are forced to build cars that people want to buy.

Its the difference between being free and being socialist.

Another compelling arguement is that CAFE standards kill people there are estimate out there that as many as 40,000 people have lost their lives as a result of the first round of CAFE standards.

The reason is that in order to comply with the standards automakers were forced to build lighter and less crash worthy vehicles, which caused more traffic fatalities than would have otherwise been the case.

Lawmakers are after all not car makers.  If they think that people really want to drive around in gutless, under powered, aluminum beer can cars then they should start their own car companies and prove it.

Answer 3

Fuel economy does not relate to emissions. a new Chevy Suburban may only get 13mpg but drives much cleaner than a 1976 Honda Accord that gets 35mpg.

Government has no business telling companies how to build cars. People want gas guzzling trucks and SUVs, so let them have them. Stupid yeah, but that's the freedom of choice.

It costs taxpayers money. Almost everything taxpayers pay for is a waste.

Answer 4

CAFE standards don't work.  It is an average.  As long as consumers are willing to buy "low mpg" vehicles, manufactures will keep making them.

Yearly Gas guzzlers tax based on usage is the best way to increase MPG and curb waste.  Look at the difference between EU and USA in gas efficiency.

Answer 5

Well the first CAFÉ standards gave us the SUV. What you say how could something designed to increase fuel economy give us a vehicle with one of the worst fuel economy.

When CAFÉ came out the car companies had to increase their average fuel economy and their CARS, trucks were exempt. The first big car to go was the station wagon, almost anyone with kids had a station wagon, it could carry the kids and their stuff, haul a boat or camper, carry stuff from a weeks worth of food, to plywood for home projects. The station wagon didn’t make a lot of money for the car companies and it got bad fuel mileage, so they basically got rid of the station wagon.

Now the station wagon was gone but the need for the station wagon remained. Then someone remembered the Willys Jeep Station Wagon, it wasn’t really a station wagon as we know it, it was a SUV. Being built on a truck frame it was exempt from the CAFÉ standards. Now the car companies had something to replace the station wagon. It was cheap to produce; it was built with existing parts from the truck line, with very little new sheet metal needed. There was a huge profit margin, and it meets all the needs that the mini-van couldn’t.

The new CAFÉ standard will give us more of the same, no matter what restrictions you put on it, small to mid size trucks are included for example, the car companies will find a way to give people what they want. If small and mid size trucks are included then all SUV’s will be one ton or more. It doesn’t really cost that much more to make a one ton truck vs a 1/2 ton truck. In fact the sheet metal on most SUV could be transplanted onto a one ton truck without any modification.

No matter what the car companies will give their customers whatever they want. If they want a 600 HP SUV they will find a way.

Answer 6

Get the pollutions out of the engineering of cars . The environment has already cost by changing the timing on our cars so they are less efficient.