Trump and California are set to collide head-on over fuel standards

[still_one]

"The Trump administration is speeding toward all-out war with California over fuel economy rules for cars and SUVs, proposing to revoke the state's long-standing authority to enforce its own, tough rules on tailpipe emissions.

The move forms a key part of a proposal by Trump's environmental and transportation agencies to roll back the nation's fuel economy standards. The agencies plan to submit the proposal to the White House for review within days."

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-mileage-20180427-story.html

Any car company that jumps on board with the WH on this, will not have me as a customer

[MichMan]

1. Why doesn't California force itt's residents to buy hybrids and electrics?

In order to meet CAFE standards, two separate actions must occur

1) Manufacturers have to build them

2) Customers have to buy them

Customers aren't buying fuel efficient vehicles in sufficient numbers and are buying crossovers, trucks and SUV instead.

Maybe increase registrations fees by 500% on anyone buying a vehicle that is below a certain mpg threshold like 35 mpg ?

[still_one]

2. That would be counter-productive, and hurt those who could least afford it

[MichMan]

4. So fine the car companies millions and millions

Because customers walk past the fuel efficient vehicles in the showrooms to buy something else?

That is the issue here. You can build all the fuel efficient vehicles you want, but unless people buy them you don't get credit for it against your fleet average.

[still_one]

5. That is the problem Mich, the trump administration wants to assume Federal Control over this, and

take it away from the states to determine their own standards.

There is some light thought. A good number of the automobile manufacturers are not happy about this, and do not want to be caught between California and Trump.

We will see what will happen, and what Jerry Brown will do. This could eventually go to the SC.

[MichMan]

9. You didn't answer my point on how to force people to buy them

[still_one]

11. I understand your point. I also think a better word to use than "force" is motivate. Force has a

negative connection

I think good motivating factors are things rebates, car pool lanes, exemptions from tolls, cash for clunkers, etc

surcharges, fines on auto manufacturers might work, but it might also cause a backlash

[MichMan]

15. The system now is to fine the car companies

For producing the vehicles that customers are buying

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Just A Thought

Perhaps there are not enough in the used market yet, so it would only apply to new cars? And, for those who cannot afford new, a 5x increase in registration would be regressive?

Not disagreeing with you as much as positing a reason why the government folks in CA wouldn't want to do that at this time.

[MichMan]

7. Because politicians are politicians

Politicians love cheap gas prices, but don't want people using much.

Consumers see cheap gas prices and don't make fuel economy a priority.

Auto manufacturers are caught right in the middle between these factors and CAFE

One method to get consumers to avoid vehicles with less than desirable fuel economy would be to make them financially un appealing. Higher gas taxes or registration fees would do that.

Voters would scream bloody murder, so no politician will ever propose a solution like that. Easier to blame the auto companies.

[cally]

6. A little history on this--I worked for CA on this issue decades ago

Right after the national air quality act was passed, California became a leader in enacting strict environmental policies. They negotiated federal waivers to adopt stricter environmental laws. Remember, at one time California had the worse smog in the nation. LA was almost unlivable. California has fixed that.

One of the reasons California can do this is because it is so big. It can enact strict laws and manufacturers have to comply or lose a huge market in California. These environmental standards and regulations are often tested in California and lead to national adoption or adoption by other smaller states.

If you care about environmental protection at all or decelerating climate change, you have to be very very concerned about Trumps actions. I think he will lose in court if the Republicans don’t end up stacking the courts before rulings.

[MichMan]

8. Why has every previous electric car mandate been waived ?

People weren't buying them. You can mandate 15 % electric car sales, but whose fault is it if they don't sell that many?

Not the people making them.

[cally]

13. I have electric car and I love it

Did you read my post or just want to want to vent on electric car mandate. California tries NEW ideas that they are willing to study and revise if necessary. No policy making body can always get it right the first time.

[MichMan]

14. I vent on fining car companies millions upon millions

for state mandates that consumers don't agree with.

If Californian's want electric cars they are available. Not enough want them to meet the mandate. Yet we hold the car companies responsible for the choices made by consumers.

[still_one]

12. I think there is a good chance this will go to the SC. Brown is going to fight this

[hunter]

10. Republicans scream "States Rights" about sick religion, gun fetishes, and racist Confederate scum...

... but they squeal like poked pigs when anyone calls "States Rights" on any issue that's actually making life better for everyone, rich or poor.

Reducing air pollution and greenhouse gasses is a good thing for everyone. Republicans hate it.

Legalizing cannabis greatly improves the lives of people with certain health issues, and harmless "recreational" users don't waste the resources of police, courts, jails, and prisons. Republicans hate it.

Non-white immigrants work hard and they are more law abiding than average U.S. citizens. They contribute far more to the economy than they get back in any government benefits. Republican hate that.

Democratic California is one of the major world economies, recently surpassing the idiot "Brexit" United Kingdom. Republicans hate that.