re: EPA: Fiat Chrysler Used Emissions-Cheating Software in Diesel Rams, Jeeps

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I was under the impression emissions devices sap cars of precious MPGs. If that assumption is incorrect, I will admit I'm wrong with my premise.

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They do, I was just pointing out that automakers are being hit with Emissions standards and CAFE standards independently.

CAFE forces them make their average fleet MPG higher. Emissions requirements are forcing them to reduce particulate matter. The Emissions requirements definitely make meeting CAFE requirements very hard. They are almost in conflict with each other. Chrysler and VW are getting into trouble for the Emissions, not their MPG.

The end result of these bullshite government policies are $60,000 pickup trucks with aluminum construction, cylinder deactivation, 10 speed transmissions, plastic aerodynamic cladding, turbocharged small displacement engines, start/stop, and a bunch of other shite that people don't really want or need that add significant cost to the vehicle.

For a while, the CAFE requirements were different for trucks than for cars. Automakers came up with compact car-based vehicles with flat floors that were somehow considered "trucks" by the government. Chrysler PT Cruiser, Scion Xb, and Chevrolet HHR are examples of that. They sold those cars so that they can also sell low MPG pickups and SUVs. They've since changed the requirements and those ugly cars went away. Trucks then became more expensive, and they started making Volts and plug in-hybrids to increase their corporate average fuel economy.