Obama raises mileage standard to 35.5 mpg

[Richard Hakluyt]

I don't understand why a more fuel efficient car will cost $1300 more than some gas-guzzling monstrosity 

In Europe the more fuel-efficient cars are usually smaller and cheaper....the $1300 extra must be due to some other factor, perhaps an insistence on a certain percentage of hybrids or something?

[Admiral Yi]

I don't understand why a more fuel efficient car will cost $1300 more than some gas-guzzling monstrosity 

In Europe the more fuel-efficient cars are usually smaller and cheaper....the $1300 extra must be due to some other factor, perhaps an insistence on a certain percentage of hybrids or something?

My guess is the cost comes from the emissions reductions, not the mileage.

[jimmy olsen]

I don't understand why a more fuel efficient car will cost $1300 more than some gas-guzzling monstrosity 

In Europe the more fuel-efficient cars are usually smaller and cheaper....the $1300 extra must be due to some other factor, perhaps an insistence on a certain percentage of hybrids or something?

They're not comparing the cost of a small car against a gas guzzling SUV. They're comparing the cost of a small car that got 27 mpg to the cost of a small car that will get 35.5 mpg.

[Faeelin]

It's interesting that Obama isn't playing this as a populist move, at least to me. Reducing dependence on foreign oil doesn't seem to be something you can readily oppose.

http://www.newsvine.com/_question/2009/05/19/2837168-are-you-ok-with-paying-1300-more-for-a-new-car-if-it-saves-you-cash-at-the-pump

Those posts made me die a little inside.

[derspiess]

Great!!!  The government will force the auto industry to make even *more* cars people don't want.

[Faeelin]

Great!!!  The government will force the auto industry to make even *more* cars people don't want.

This is kind of why SUV sales were booming over the past few years, right?

[KRonn]

Good move, and probably about time on raising mileage standards. I am concerned that it raises the cost of cars so much, but hey, with the govt now running the auto comps what can we expect otherwise?   

We will still need more oil and natural gas; we aren't going off of fossil fuels anytime soon. I still say we need to drill more for it in N America, including offshore. I saw a while ago that Pres Obama reversed the Bush admin opening up of more offshore drilling. I know it's controversial, but given that we're going to need more and more oil/gas for the foreseeable future, we're still going to rely on foreign sources more than maybe we want to, while blocking some domestic sources.

[Caliga]

Good move, and probably about time on raising mileage standards. I am concerned that it raises the cost of cars so much, but hey, with the govt now running the auto comps what can we expect otherwise?   

Within five years or so, GM will be producing cars to Homer Simpson's specification.

[jimmy olsen]

Good move, and probably about time on raising mileage standards. I am concerned that it raises the cost of cars so much, but hey, with the govt now running the auto comps what can we expect otherwise?   

Within five years or so, GM will be producing cars to Homer Simpson's specification.

I forget, what's with the bubble in the back?

[DontSayBanana]

I don't understand why a more fuel efficient car will cost $1300 more than some gas-guzzling monstrosity 

In Europe the more fuel-efficient cars are usually smaller and cheaper....the $1300 extra must be due to some other factor, perhaps an insistence on a certain percentage of hybrids or something?

Electrical equipment and catalytic converters. People think we're helping the planet oh so much, right up until they realize how much of the supply of platinum is getting put into the exhaust manifolds of our cars as catalytic converters.

[Richard Hakluyt]

I don't understand why a more fuel efficient car will cost $1300 more than some gas-guzzling monstrosity 

In Europe the more fuel-efficient cars are usually smaller and cheaper....the $1300 extra must be due to some other factor, perhaps an insistence on a certain percentage of hybrids or something?

They're not comparing the cost of a small car against a gas guzzling SUV. They're comparing the cost of a small car that got 27 mpg to the cost of a small car that will get 35.5 mpg.

OK, I haven't heard of a small car that only got 27mpg here since the 1970s; welcome to the 1980s guys 

This will save people money and reduce your reliance on oil from dodgy despots, the initial $1300 extra expense is more than covered by the increased efficiency, I think it's a good move.

[Caliga]

I don't understand why a more fuel efficient car will cost $1300 more than some gas-guzzling monstrosity 

In Europe the more fuel-efficient cars are usually smaller and cheaper....the $1300 extra must be due to some other factor, perhaps an insistence on a certain percentage of hybrids or something?

They're not comparing the cost of a small car against a gas guzzling SUV. They're comparing the cost of a small car that got 27 mpg to the cost of a small car that will get 35.5 mpg.

OK, I haven't heard of a small car that only got 27mpg here since the 1970s; welcome to the 1980s guys 

This will save people money and reduce your reliance on oil from dodgy despots, the initial $1300 extra expense is more than covered by the increased efficiency, I think it's a good move.

Wouldn't it just be easier to kill said despots and take over their countries?  Walk softly and carry a big stick. 

[Richard Hakluyt]

Wouldn't it just be easier to kill said despots and take over their countries?  Walk softly and carry a big stick. 

No, not really 

[Grey Fox]

Good move, and probably about time on raising mileage standards. I am concerned that it raises the cost of cars so much, but hey, with the govt now running the auto comps what can we expect otherwise?   

Within five years or so, GM will be producing cars to Homer Simpson's specification.

I forget, what's with the bubble in the back?

It's for the Kids, so you don't hear them screaming.

[jimmy olsen]

Good move, and probably about time on raising mileage standards. I am concerned that it raises the cost of cars so much, but hey, with the govt now running the auto comps what can we expect otherwise?   

Within five years or so, GM will be producing cars to Homer Simpson's specification.

I forget, what's with the bubble in the back?

It's for the Kids, so you don't hear them screaming.

It's brilliant!