New CAFE Gas Milage Standards...impacting safety and reliability.

[IGBT]

Any thoughts on this?? "
AI Overview
The U.S. CAFE standards are evolving; the 2022 rules require a fleet average of approximately 49 mpg for passenger cars and light trucks for the 2026 model year. However, due to recent developments in 2025, the enforcement and finalization of some rules are in flux, but the target for 2031 remains around 50.4 mpg for passenger cars and light trucks..(lots of engine redesign and variable waste gate turbos are inducing all kinds of reliability problems. (And now there is computer controlled thermostats in an attempt to reduce Nitrogen oxide emissions from fuel combustion..and they are screwing up too. All the mfgrs are having transmission problems from all the computer EEC loops controlling engine temps / trans shifting / air fuel mixtures and throttle mapping endless EEC firm wear updates and engines with both direct and port fuel injection with multiple fuel pumps are wildly expensive to repair..)

 

[Greenman]

Regulation driving technology generally doesn't work out well in the short term.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Regulation driving technology generally doesn't work out well in the short term.

But it works exceptionally well in the long term. Look at modern cars vs 1970s cars when cats were first introduced.

Also it's an AI overview so I call shenanigans. I work in the auto industry and we absolutely make vehicles that meet emissions regulations and have high reliability. However, new technologies and designs almost always have issues. There's a reason everyone says to stay away from the "brand new [insert vehicle]"

you know what reduces emissions even further? Electrification.

Also, the thread title mentions safety but the OP has no mention of it. So what gives?

 

[IGBT]

But it works exceptionally well in the long term. Look at modern cars vs 1970s cars when cats were first introduced.

Also it's an AI overview so I call shenanigans. I work in the auto industry and we absolutely make vehicles that meet emissions regulations and have high reliability. However, new technologies and designs almost always have issues. There's a reason everyone says to stay away from the "brand new [insert vehicle]"

you know what reduces emissions even further? Electrification.

Also, the thread title mentions safety but the OP has no mention of it. So what gives?

" Modern safety engineering focuses on intelligent design and advanced materials, not just overall mass"...they could make vehicles out of skateboard material to achieve low weight high milage vehicles...at what point will so called "advanced materials" result in death traps??
"you know what reduces emissions even further? Electrification."...with CAFE standards ever increasing (to obsolete combustion engines) it's safe to say electric vehicles are well on the way. Toyota seems to be doing well in their concept solid-state batteries and hydrogen electric fuel cells. " Toyota continues to invest in both hydrogen fuel cells and solid-state battery technology as part of its "multi-pathway" strategy for decarbonization, despite the challenges of solid-state battery mass production and the limited hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The company's third-generation fuel cell stack and advancements in solid-state battery tech, which promise significant range and ultra-fast charging, underscore its commitment to these different technologies."
The 65 mpg CAFE standard is not a current requirement, but rather a future target for passenger cars under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Final Rule for Model Years 2027-2031...the 49 mpg CAFE standard is proving very difficult and wildly expensive. At 65 mpg CAFE may spell the end for combustion engines..

 

[Ken g6]

Last I heard Congress zeroed-out the penalties for not meeting these standards, so they currently mean nothing. 🙁

At 65 mpg CAFE may spell the end for combustion engines..

Spell it out: Corporate Average Fuel Economy. EVs tend to get ~100MPG equivalent, so there's room for a significant number of ICE. Plus they can always sell a limited run of muscle cars expensive enough to pay the fines for selling them.

Though I'd like to see only EVs and PHEVs with solar, this law comes nowhere near requiring that.

 

[Zor Prime]

It's stuff like this why I went ahead and picked up a 2025 Miata while I could.

 

[sdifox]

I hate the stop start that was implemented to meet CAFE. It leads to premature starter and battery death.

 

[IGBT]

I hate the stop start that was implemented to meet CAFE. It leads to premature starter and battery death.

Yes...a massive safety issue.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I hate the stop start that was implemented to meet CAFE. It leads to premature starter and battery death.

While I don't disagree with the possibility that stop-start could cause issues, has it been observed in reality?
Has the industry as a whole seen issues with stop-start, or specific manufacturers? As I recall, the EU had stop-start long before we did in the US

 

[sdifox]

While I don't disagree with the possibility that stop-start could cause issues, has it been observed in reality?
Has the industry as a whole seen issues with stop-start, or specific manufacturers? As I recall, the EU had stop-start long before we did in the US

there's been many reports of Odyssey issues. I disable the stop start every time I get in the car.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HondaOdyssey/comments/1kx38m5/2025_odyssey_shutting_off_after_stopstart_system