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Detroit, 6:16 AM
Mon Nov 16
16 posts in the last 24 hours
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08/20/09
Here is a letter I sent to one of them to use as a template if you wish. You can find their email accounts at:
[www.senate.gov]
[www.house.gov]
To the Honorable so and so
I have heard that recently GM has decided against building their new diesel engine for light duty trucks. I have also heard that some of the big diesel engine manufacturers are having a difficult time meeting the new EPA regulations for diesel emissions. I believe that the EPA regulations involving diesels have become so onerous that they are limiting product availability. Diesels are generally far more efficient that gasoline engines, but because of low sulfur fuel and new EPA requirements the advantage of this technology is fading. Many Europeans own automobiles that get very good mileage and we have no hope of ever buying these cars here with the current regulatory climate. We as a nation would burn far less fuel if more automobiles used diesel engines. It is time for the EPA to lower its requirements.
Just be respectful when you write and if they get enough input, the regulations will change.
01/07/09
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01/07/09
Holy Fuel Pressure Batman! That's 26,460 psi in 'merican numbers!
Better not knick that fuel line with a rock or you'll blow a hole clean through the floorpan.
01/07/09
01/07/09
/Granny shiftin', not double-clutchin' when ya should...
01/07/09
Burn Oil out the Night
I don't see no reason to put up a fight
I'm living for giving Diesel its due
And I'm burning oil burning oil burning oil for you.
01/07/09
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01/07/09
I'm not even sure it's emissions regulations that are keeping Diesel out. I think the fact that General Motors poisoned the well thirty years ago with their epicly shitty Olds and Cadillac Diesels may be one reason that they aren't sold here. There's also the fact that, in general, Americans think Diesel is filthy, smelly and should be confined to trucks.
I wish I could get a small TDI in an AWD package with a six-speed that has an American badge on it. Preferably something wagon shaped.
01/07/09
California is the big thorn in our collective side--since they represent such a large chunk of potential sales (45% of BMW's US sales, I read), they can be the make-or-break piece of the puzzle for diesel's business case here.
01/07/09
You said a mouthful there, sir.
They have dictated auto policy for WAY too long.
Now that Waxman edged out Dingell, things are only gonna get worse.
01/07/09
01/07/09
The thing is, don't the newer diesel engines (which this Volvo obviously is) already fall within California's regulations, and don't those regulations pertain mainly to heavies like Semis and busses? Those rules don't even go into full effect until 2023 and Diesel is already cleaner than it was ten years ago.
I agree that laws are hampering Diesel sales, but I think some serious marketing and education on the part of manufacturers would go a long way in getting awesome Diesels here for us to hoon around in.
01/07/09
1. VW, BMW, and other create new, awesome diesels in the late 90s and early 00s. Part of their awesomeness is based on the ULSD fuel availability. Since Europe focuses mostly on CO2 emissions, diesels are a great option...even though they are pretty sooty.
2. US promises it will switch to ULSD soon.
3. US finally sets a date on ULSD (late 2006?).
4. However, in the meantime, California and 4 other states have lowered the threshhold on emissions (specifically particulates, IIRC) so that it now excludes most diesels.
5. Euro manufacturers slap foreheads, rush back to drawing board to add filtration systems (with and without urea). This adds cost and complexity.
6. 50-state diesels go on sale.
7. Diesel fuel prices spike well beyond their traditional norms, killing most of the savings in economy.
It's not a perfect timeline, but that's how I've interpreted it. The ULSD availability was the first hurdle, but the 5-state "ban" was just a kick in the nuts.
01/07/09
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01/07/09
They've dictated a lot of other policies in this country for way too long, too. Wanna know what the US legal landscape is going to look like in 15-20 years? Just take a gander at California.
01/07/09
The problem is the 'tards running CARB, along with Barbara Boxer and Henry Waxman.
01/07/09
No wonder the state's about to go broke...
01/07/09
01/07/09
Agreed. I also blame them for the popularity of Starbucks. Sure, Seattle started it, but California turned it into the plague it is.
I also blame California for Charles_Barrett.
01/07/09