California wants 44MPG standard

If only California's citizens would follow this rule. When the VW Jetta Diesel was outlawed by CA in 2006 (because it didn't meet emissions standards), Californians simply bought and registered them outside CA, put 10k miles on them, then registered them in CA.

I would imagine a fleet average of 44mpg would be easy for Toyota, Ford, etc. to accomplish by simply not selling their gas burners (trucks and SUVs) in California. What would stop a rich Californian from buying his/her favorite gas burner and bringing it into the state, once it has some miles on it?

If I were a car dealer in Nevada or Arizona, I'd be all for this rule...

— tundrahq (View Profile)

Posted on 2/28/2008 7:22:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

does Arnie still drive a hummer?

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 10:19:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I'm not sure where they came up with 44 MPG. Why not 40 or 45MPG.Anyway diesel mania here we come.

— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:50:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

California might be able to do this under EPA rules, despite being shot down by the current EPA chief. This is exactly what he was afraid of. They will use the recent ruling that CO2 can be regulated as pollutants (for the first time). If CA says that under the CA emissions rules automakers must cut CO2 deeper in CA (just like they do other pollutants), it will force the 44 mpg hike without them actually telling mfrs to raise thir average mpg.

It's brilliant, Washington knows they can do it, and thats why the EPA chief said CA can no longer enforce its own standards, which will not hold up in court and will likely be voided by the next administration anyway.

The future of autos in CA is going to be very interesting.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 11:52:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Diesel may be the future of California...

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 12:03:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Your posting is more a reflection on you, than on the population of California.

— FunBrit (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 3:05:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

And I would have to agree with FunBrit and Anthony718. Californians have their quirks compared to middle America. Then again, middle America has its own oddities as well (like Fred Phelps and the WBC). At least they will have more available diesels soon. Also, I hope that it will allow more vehicles to use the carpool lanes when there is only a driver in the vehicle, like for Prius drivers (or have they changed that rule?).

BTW, any car driving only 65 mph in the left lane is a bad thing regardless what state you're in. 'Slower Traffic Keep Right' signs can't be big enough!

— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 3:57:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

@ BMW3series,

Hey, we didn't say that we didn't like him. He just a stupid comment.

BTW, bring on those 3 series diesels. 320d and 330d for Cali!

(There will be other mfg, but I knew that would get your attention)

— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 9:13:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Sorry.

That was he made a stupid comment.

— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 9:16:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

poor cptamazingV...

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 3:54:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Hopefully Bob Lutz will read this and keel over.

— sold2early (View Profile)

Posted on 2/26/2008 3:59:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I am so not moving to california lol.

— xlr8 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 12:17:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Diesels won't be big here not until oil companies build new plants to produce diesel and they are not going to do it anytime soon because it cuts into there profits. Diesel is to effient to keep their fat wallets full so they rather sell us gasoline cus it burns up quicker. Yes diesel is easier and cheaper to produce but it doesn't produce as much profits. We can expect diesels to become more mainstream around 2012-15 by then the cost of building clean diesels will come down enough to justify buying a diesel corolla / or prius???

— 007BIG3 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 12:36:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

If California is so worried about greenhouse gasses and pollution they should focus more on refinaries that spew tons upon tons of pollution into our air/water. Cars are NOT the biggest culprits for the pollution being created. Big manufacturing plants are the biggest criminals. Also California should give warehouses, shopping malls, supermarkets,Big Bussinesses tax deductions for installing solar panels on the roofs of there massive buildings.

— 007BIG3 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/27/2008 12:47:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2