Now that the Obama administration is reconsidering California's plan to increase fuel economy of cars sold in the Golden State and 13 to 35 miles per gallon by 2016, we wonder how close automakers to reach there.
The proposed regulations by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) - the same organization that brought to life then killed the electric car mandate in the state - not directly regulate fuel economy EPA as it does, it sets standards emissions of carbon dioxide, which effectively does the same.
According to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the automakers will cost approximately $ 3,000 per vehicle in the new technologies to get the fleet average to 35 miles per gallon.
Want to get an advantage in helping the industry to buy the purchase of a 35 mpg car? If the rules went into effect today you would have a total of three vehicles to choose from, and no, the MINI Cooper is not one of them.
The Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and the Smart Fortwo cars are currently the only EPA-rated combined with over 35 miles per gallon. Later this year, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Honda Insight will join the list, but it is clear that the automakers are still far from making the cut.
Of course, 35 mpg is just the beginning. CARB's proposal requires an average of 43 mpg by 2020. That narrows the list of cars available to you. We hope you enjoy that Prius.
The proposed regulations by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) - the same organization that brought to life then killed the electric car mandate in the state - not directly regulate fuel economy EPA as it does, it sets standards emissions of carbon dioxide, which effectively does the same.
According to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the automakers will cost approximately $ 3,000 per vehicle in the new technologies to get the fleet average to 35 miles per gallon.
Want to get an advantage in helping the industry to buy the purchase of a 35 mpg car? If the rules went into effect today you would have a total of three vehicles to choose from, and no, the MINI Cooper is not one of them.
The Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and the Smart Fortwo cars are currently the only EPA-rated combined with over 35 miles per gallon. Later this year, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Honda Insight will join the list, but it is clear that the automakers are still far from making the cut.
Of course, 35 mpg is just the beginning. CARB's proposal requires an average of 43 mpg by 2020. That narrows the list of cars available to you. We hope you enjoy that Prius.
