[bwilson4web]

http://detnews.com/article/20110625/....2-mpg-by-2025

By David Shepardson
. . .
The 56.2 mpg figure and EPA's proposed greenhouse gas emissions limits equivalent likely is an opening bargaining point. The final proposal could change as automakers and the White House hold more meetings to try to again reach agreement.

The administration plans to formally propose new standards in September and finalize them by July 2012.

It estimated last fall that hiking fuel efficiency to 56 mpg by 2025 would boost the average vehicle cost by $2,100 to $2,600. But the administration said the rule would save car owners $5,500 to $7,000 over the vehicle's lifetime in fuel costs, and owners would recoup the additional up-front cost within 2.5 to 3.5 years.

The high mileage requirement would dramatically reshape what Americans drive. Currently, passenger vehicles must average 30.2 mpg and light trucks 24.1 mpg in government testing, but vehicles get far less in real-world driving.
. . .

Hummm, 56.2 MPG, it is summer and my last tank was 52.4 MPG.

The real threat of the Prius and Insight has been their performance eviscerates the 'we can't do that' arguments of those who prefer inefficient vehicles.

Bob Wilson

[bwilson4web]

Sometimes the threads are loose and difficult but occasionally:
http://www.rollcall.com/news/GOP-Hil...1.html?pos=hln

By Kate Ackley
A collection of 15 Republicans — all former Members of Congress, governors or Environmental Protection Agency administrators — called on the president Wednesday to set aggressive auto emission and fuel efficiency standards beginning in 2017. "I'm just very passionate about the environment," said former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.), who spearheaded the letter to President Barack Obama. "We want the administration to know there are serious-minded Republicans who are well informed on the issue who urge him to take aggressive action."
. . .

Had this been current, elected Republicans, I would be impressed. But these are 'retired' Republicans.

Look, I'm a proud partisan Democrat but I also come from a family that has some history of . . . seeing patterns in random data. Just in this case, I wish the smoke were not so readily smelt. But I am sad to state that I think we've just heard the opening salvo of the last battle by the hybrid skeptics . . . no rather the lazy, incompetent engineering managers who are afraid to challenge their staff.

Bob Wilson

[dulsi]

I really hope this gets someone to build a hybrid minivan that gets good mpg.

[bwilson4web]

Ford has announced one:
http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=33792

• Ford will launch C-MAX Energi, its first-ever production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and C-MAX Hybrid, a full hybrid variant, in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013
• Both versions of the five-passenger multi-activity vehicle will leverage the company’s global C-car platform, critically acclaimed powersplit hybrid architecture, next-generation driver information features and advanced, lighter and smaller lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems
• C-MAX Hybrid is targeted to deliver better miles per gallon than Ford Fusion Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient sedan in America
• C-MAX Energi targets more than 500 miles (800 kilometers) of driving range using the battery and engine, more than any other plug-in or extended-range vehicle. It also targets AT-PZEV status and delivers better charge-sustaining fuel economy than Chevrolet Volt . . .

I'm interested in seeing one in real life.

Bob Wilson