I was recently introduced to the detrimental affects of poorly thought out EPA regulations for vehicle mileage and the consumer assumption that bigger cars should cost more than smaller cars. Simplified, the required MPG goes up over time. However, it goes up far less the heavier your vehicle is. So, car manufacturers making bigger, heavier vehicles (for an only slightly higher cost) means less research on efficiency and no fine for low MPG AND consumers are willing to pay more for larger vehicles. For manufacturers its a win-win to keep selling bigger, less efficient vehicles for high prices.
I was recently introduced to the detrimental affects of poorly thought out EPA regulations for vehicle mileage and the consumer assumption that bigger cars should cost more than smaller cars. Simplified, the required MPG goes up over time. However, it goes up far less the heavier your vehicle is. So, car manufacturers making bigger, heavier vehicles (for an only slightly higher cost) means less research on efficiency and no fine for low MPG AND consumers are willing to pay more for larger vehicles. For manufacturers its a win-win to keep selling bigger, less efficient vehicles for high prices.