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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Electric cars will get extra credit in helping meet the new mileage standards. (http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/1221968.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2011_Chevrolet_Volt1.jpgSteve Everly - The Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com) - May. 28, 2009

GM continues to work on the Volt, but will it actually succeed in the market? --Ed.

A reorganized General Motors will have plenty of jobs to tackle, including meeting a tougher fuel-efficiency standard.

The new federal standard, which also affects the rest of the auto industry, will boost by 30 percent the overall gas mileage of new cars and light trucks, including SUVs, helping curb oil imports and greenhouse gases.

But the benefit comes at a price. The federal government says the extra cost will amount to $1,300 per vehicle; other estimates are as high as $4,000.

GM does have the electric Volt coming onto the market next year, but it needs more than that to compete and prosper.

Automakers altogether will be spending billions of dollars to make more-efficient vehicles — keeping the pressure on GM, which will need some profits, additional federal help or an outside investor such as a European automaker to get the... http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/1221968.html

I doubt that it will cost anywhere close to $4,000 per vehicle. That's the same kind of nonsense that the automakers said about adding seat belts.

Some of the nearly-compliant cars can essentially be upgraded for free. The Fit, Yaris, Versa, Civic, and Scion only need the gear ratios adjusted in order to get slightly better gas mileage.

Some midsized vehicles can get away with smaller engines in order to raise fuel economy (does anyone *really* need to go 0-60 in 5 seconds?) Downsizing an engine actually makes the vehicle less expensive.

Honda's IMA architecture is about a $2,000 system. The Accord (i4 version) could easily get 35 MPG with that upgrade (and $2k is less than $4k last time I checked!)

Toyota has a BAS-like mild hybrid system that could be added to some of the sub-35 MPG vehicles. Mild hybrid technology costs a heck of a lot less than HSD.

On the bright side, using less fuel does reduce a car's total cost of ownership.