You have seen and heard about...LEV, ULEV, UULEV, and all that. But do you really know?

So...emission standards are based on which of the above?

 

Hi Fly Major Fly,

I get the gist of your Poll and it will be interesting to see the results.
Of course I should have answered "None of the above" but if everybody did this it would make your poll somewhat worthless.

As I see it you guys in the States haven't really embraced the concept of OVERALL EFFICIENCY. You are following the "CLEANLINESS" route to meet legislation in order to justify (continue using) large capacity gasoline powerplants with AFTER CLEANERS. Mind you California keeps raising the bar!

Europe / Japan however have embraced OVERALL EFFICIENCY (Raw material conversion to kinetic energy) and are therefore persuing Fuel Cell, Electric, Hybrids, LPG and of course Pedal Power while also trying to maxise EFFICIENCY from gasoline / diesel using small sized super/turbocharged, lightweight (composites), aerodynamic vehicles so that we can earn some of your Dollars!

Gasoline at up to £1/Litre concentrates the mind.
How much is it in the States? 2 Dollars a (US)gallon.
What's that, a 4:1 ratio?

Stuart

 

European and Japanese cars in the US still require "after cleaners." Japanese cars overall may have better gas mileage. European cars, it's doubtful. Neither are necessarily cleaner burning. For example, Toyota had to stop selling the Supra here and Mazda had to stop selling the RX here because they couldn't meet US emission standards.

The US is pursuing Fuel Cell, Electric, Hybrids, LPG, and legislating more efficient gas engines. Pedal power is more of a recreational thing, but very prevalent. Ever hear of Lance Armstrong? Many old railroad tracks across the country are being turned into bicycle trails. There's a single bicycle trail planned, which is now partially finished, that will span the United States from East to West. There are many bicycle trails right now that cross state lines. The problem here is that the trails don't go anyone's place of work. That's an exaggeration, but mostly true.

The problem with US emissons standards is that they don't apply to the worst polluters. Semi-tractor trailers, other large trucks--gas and diesel, boats--some with huge dual engines, SUVs and pickup trucks aren't covered under the same stringent emission standards as passenger cars.

Those mini-cars are fine for city dwellers that don't need to drive over 40 mph. You can't fit a square peg into a round hole. We don't want/need your baby-cars and you don't want/need our larger cars, even though several Euro cars are very large and very gas guzzling and less efficient than most US cars. The US is a car culture. Europe is whatever it is.