![[Valid Atom 1.0]](valid-atom.png "Validate my Atom 1.0 feed")
OPINIONS * USA
* USA - Small cars will become trucks in the future, thanks to mpg regulations
(Photo: Tata's Nano EV)
USA -auto-types, by James Wilkins -January 24, 2012: -- Most likely, everyone knows about the new regulations in the USA that require cars to reach a fuel efficiency level of 54.5 mpg by 2025. And every car maker surely knows the current situation in which trucks have lower fuel efficiency requirements will continue well into that same future. The rule that governs this principle is a simple one: the larger the vehicle, the lower fuel economy it has... When SUVs and crossovers become mainstream that situation suddenly changed. Thus, car makers became increasingly interested in labeling their cars as trucks... Why was that possible? Because of regulations that consider height, all wheel drive, load bay, folding seats and if they are present or not, among others. Modify the numbers and shape a bit and, technically, you get a perfect truck... The Union of Concerned Scientists is concerned about the double standard. Don Anair, senior engineer in the clean vehicle program of the UCS, on a side note, it should be said that the association appreciates the new standards, except for the part that deal with trucks and other large vehicles... The talks concerning these new regulations are continuing until the 13th of February. Overall, these regulations are a blessing for those who want greener cars. Just the part that deals with trucks and other large vehicles should be checked for loose ends...* Michigan - Should the speed limit for cars and semi trucks be the same?
MICH,USA -mlive/The Grand Rapids Press, by Troy Reimink -January 24, 2012: ... Part of the problem is the discrepancy between speed limits for cars and trucks. I believe this leads to more unsafe and aggressive driving on the part of cars trying to get around trucks and angry drivers after following behind a "rolling road block" while one truck passes another... This comment gets to the heart of an issue that has divided policy-makers for decades. Federal law in 1987 permitted states to raise rural interstate highway speed limits from the then nationally mandated 55 mph to 65 mph.” Michigan was one of a relatively few states to set different highway speed limits for cars and trucks, and a version of this division remains in place today... Here, it depends which study you read. In 2006, researchers at the University of Arkansas analyzed car-truck accidents in states with differential speed limits (DSL) versus those with universal speed limits (USL) and found “speed variation and vehicle interactions have a direct impact on highway safety”... This appears to contradict a 2005 study by the National Highway Administration that found no significant difference in car-truck crash rates in DSL states versus USL states...
Labels: opinion, rules and regulations
posted by Unknown @ 6:59 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home