Originally Posted by
Amani576
The issue there is that with such stringent safety requirements the government is basically demanding car makers to build heavy cars. But with CAFE standards they expect them to build fuel-efficient vehicles. And weight and fuel efficiency just don't go hand in hand unless the aerodynamics come into play, but those tend to be outdone by safety standards. They're being told to build safe, and fuel-efficient and for any reasonably affordable price, that's difficult to do. I'd be all for a super-aerodynamic car like the Ford Probe V which could (purportedly) do 50mph on only 5hp, but actually building the car to be safe is why it's so difficult.
It's a deadly circle, and I'm not sure the NHTSA and EPA are really aware of the struggles they put each other through.
-Gene-
Absolutely true. That's why a 1990 Geo Metro LSi got 58MPG, bettering all but the latest generation of Prius, and STILL bettering any other hybrid. Actually, that was the federal measurement. Real world driving, I had a co-worker that bought one for his 178 mile round-trip commute, and with cruise control he got 62mpg consistently.