Additional info here.

I'm pretty sure that the auto makers are actually now behind a raise in CAFE standards are working with Washington to get a bipartisan solution through with the current energy bill.

I do some work with the AAM and I saw that they had the details posted over at Drive Congress along with a lot of other background on the subject.

I think the best solution that they could come up with would be one that was more well rounded and incorporates a few different solutions to this issue as opposed to throwing all our eggs in one basket.

Just raising standards probably isn't the best idea - but one that takes into account a raise that separates cars and trucks, encouraging new technologies, and possibly some incentives for buying hybrids, etc.. - now that would probably have the best chance for success.

I'm all for raising the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, but 32 to 35 mpg by 2022 is a joke too.

If you look at the mpg of cars and trucks sold in Europe *today* (diesel, etc.), the notion that HR 2927 is a "tough legislation" becomes literally comical.

E.

But Europe and the US are really not comparable when it comes to CAFE standards.

The driving in Europe is much much different than here- and it even goes past the much larger distances Americans travel.

Americans actually tend to drive more rather than less when they have cheaper gas or more efficient cars so any gain would be quickly negated by CAFE raises.

Now, I don't think they are a terrible idea, but they need to be part of a comprehensive package.

Look at gas prices - if you want a good idea from overseas look at the places that have implemented high gas taxes.

That truly drives change because it forces consumers to change their habits (unlike CAFE) which is the only way to effectively deal with this issue.

Consumer choice is what drives people to pick larger autos like trucks and SUVs, and consumer choice will be what will cause fuel efficient cars to be popular and manufactured - not Washington legislation.