EPA Rules Do the Opposite of Their Intentions

 EPA rules, when it comes to car manufacturing, and specifically, truck manufacturing, for the most part, do the opposite of their intentions.  The standards encourage manufacturers to increase fuel economy, but the rules based on vehicle size unintentionally encourage larger vehicles.

 Footprint Standards: The EPA measures fuel economy targets based on a vehicles "footprint" (the area between its wheels).  Larger vehicles are given a lower, easier-to-reach fuel efficiency, while smaller vehicles face stricter (harder to reach) fuel efficiency standards.

Since it is easier meet compliance standards with bigger vehicles, manufacturers build bigger trucks, rather than spending more money in the effort to squeeze more efficiency from smaller vehicles.

Large vehicles such as trucks and SUVs yield higher profits for manufacturers, making it easier to justify the investment of the bigger frames that satisfy the more lenient standards.

Emissions v Fuel Economy: While the EPA regulates air pollutants and greenhouse gases, heavy-duty commercial trucks have different measurement exemptions and classifications compared to cars. and this shifts manufacturer priorities when it comes to emissions and fuel economy.