2025 CAFE Target Set at 54.5 MPG

That is a good thing, but I read (yesterday, iirc), that with various exceptions, the actual average fuel economy will be closer to something in the low 40s.

I wish "they" would report that real number, and explain what those exceptions are, and why they are warranted.

I use "they" to refer both to the media that report as well as the "authorities" that regulate such things.

Why shouldn't we learn to deal with real numbers?

<Applauds> Soon you'll be up close to European fuel consumption figures....

<runs away to hide in Del's secret hiding place>

IMHO this should have been met decades ago.

Now where is that darned Cat's nest anyway?

2025 - I may be too old to drive

No, what will really happen is that the auto manufacturers will simply cobble a bunch of expensive crap onto vehicles for one purpose and one purpose only: Game the system that the EPA uses to measure fuel efficiency.

Come on now. Most of you are engineers and we all know (or should know) you can't fool Mother Nature. The Head Bozo in charge is not going to change the laws of physics and thermodynamics with the stroke of a pen despite his ego.

Europe has higher mileage vehicles. True. They also burn a lot of diesel which of course has a higher energy content, and their vehicles are smaller. A lot smaller. They also don't have to meet DOT safety requirements either although many probably do simply to avoid running different production lines.

What will happen is you will pay a lot more for a vehicle. Hang on to your wallets, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

We have the NCAP assessments...and EU Safety Directives...it's not like we build unsafe cars

And you're right - cycle beating is the name of the game.

Very, true as the Swedes are popularly known for building very safe cars. That being said, (in the past anyways) the U.S. at one time had ridiculous requirements for bumpers (ugh, the Joan Claybrook ugliest 5 m.p.h. bumbers ever) and other things that drove the weight of the vehicle up. The playing field is probably a lot more level now than it was back in the seventies and eighties.