[mech975]

CAFE standards were written in such a way as to encourage large vehicle footprints to work around the requirements of the standards.

Motorcycling youtuber fortnine offers a good view on some other aspects of the situation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpuX-5E7xoU

[khaki54]

In other words, this problem was caused by a progressive regulation intended to help the environment that had the exact opposite effect intended. They set aggressive targets for MPG that were not able to be reached and still produce a car that people want to drive.

Remember the tiny Ford Ranger or Chevy S10? If they were produced today, they would be expected to have a very high MPG, which would require an engine unsuitable for the task as a truck.

The end result is that vehicles are forced to be unnecessarily large to get put in the class where low MPG engine can be installed.

[throwup238]

> In other words, this problem was caused by a progressive regulation intended to help the environment that had the exact opposite effect intended.

It was caused by the legislature undermining progressive regulation. Congress was the one that required the EPA to establish different standards for “non-passenger automobiles” and allow SUVs to classify as light trucks.

It’s the only thing that saved the American car companies from bankruptcy post oil embargo shakeup so now its too entrenched a policy to remove.

[phkahler]

Check out the Ford Maverick hybrid. Similar size to trucks 30 years ago with 38mpg. The 2025 gets 4000lbs towing capacity. You can park it in normal sized spots.

[oldranger]

The old Ranger could tow 5000 lb, 9000 lb combined. I wouldn't want to tow 4000lb on Maverick (which I respect for what it is) for very long. That engine is a little high strung.

https://tailoredtrucks.com/blog/2011-ford-ranger-towing-capa...

[toast0]

Trucks 30 years ago had 6 foot beds, not 4.5 foot beds.

[phkahler]

And 2 person cabs, not 4.

[sneed_chucker]

Strongly considered it. If only Fords were reliable.

[lotsofpulp]

I don’t understand why cafe standards are brought up when all the evidence indicates people are, by and large, willingly spending extra money to sit higher up in larger vehicles, when there are plenty of smaller vehicles available for purchase.

Cafe could not exist, and we would still be in the same situation. The root cause is too low fuel prices (meaning too low fuel taxes).