Lifestyle
The New Emissions Rollback: The Worst Move at the Worst Time
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While many of us are dealing with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to sweep through countries across the world, the virus is, unfortunately, one of many things that humans are forced to deal with daily. While an invisible sickness rips through much of the world, the global climate crisis is an issue that people across the globe have been dealing with for years, even though it is a relatively “new” issue in the big picture of time.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama implemented a set of rules in 2012 that required automakers to improve fuel economy standards by at least 5% every year. This standard would have led to vehicles with the “2026” Model year averaging 54 miles per gallon.
However, this rule was recently revised and subjected to a rollback, making it 3.5% less than its intended, and environmentally-beneficial, 5% rating. This new standard brings the average rating for vehicles in 2026 to just around 40 miles per gallon, a result that will eventually burn more poisonous gas into the atmosphere. A far cry from what the previous emissions standards were, the rollback entails that a new and dangerous level of carbon emissions will be allowed to be released into the air. This amount of emissions being released into the atmosphere could set back massive amounts of environmental progress that our country has made. Meanwhile, the changes negatively affect the entire world, not just our country.
According to an article from the Verge, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates the old standard of 5% improvement over fuel efficiency year-by-year has cut CO2 emissions by half a billion metric tons and saved drivers $86 billion dollars at the pump. These numbers are according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Meanwhile, the rollback is expected to release an additional billion metric tons of CO2 into the Earth’s atmosphere and increase oil consumption by 2 billion barrels, along with an extra 80 billion gallons of gasoline thanks to lower MPG standards.
The time to create less efficient fuel standards for our gas and petrol-powered vehicles is not now. In all honesty (and in my personal opinion), there is not a time to do it. Our Earth is at absolute an absolute crisis, or what Michael Scott would call “Threat Level Midnight.”
The arguments for the lower emissions standards: better fuel economy creates more expensive cars at purchase, which leads to many people sticking with their current vehicles or buying used cars. These older cars usually have lower safety standards, making them less safe to drive. Apparently, lowering the fuel standards will eliminate $1,000 from the cost of a new vehicle, making more cars on the road more reliable, while providing an added boost to the economy through vehicle purchases.
The problem is, a lower sticker price does not necessarily mean less money spent throughout the life of a vehicle. A Consumer Reports study showed that if gas prices were $1.50 for the next 30 years, the newly introduced rollback “would still increase new vehicle total cost of ownership for consumers.”
Here’s the thing: It is a great idea to make new cars cheaper. Sure, everyone loves the excitement (and smell) of a brand new vehicle. I think a new car is one of my favorite things, along with a high-quality sushi meal, Good Will Hunting on a low-key Friday evening, and a great workout. However, I also like living on Earth, and I appreciate the fact that my small, rural area of Southern York County, Pennsylvania does not have too many environmental issues. Of course, there is always the occasional “coal roll” I get from someone for driving an environmentally-friendly car.
The issue is the fact that no evidence suggests this new rollback will save money in the long term, and the new standards will hurt the environment. You would think analysts, or statisticians, or number crunchers would do some sort of research regarding the long-term economic effects on this subject. Just because someone is saving $1,000 upfront on the purchase of a car, it doesn’t necessarily mean things are going to be cheaper in the long run.
The responsibility of humans to do their part to decrease environmental damage at this point is absolutely imperative. There is no reason to continue the rollback of emissions standards when climate change is a scientifically proven issue. Vehicles need to become cleaner and cleaner, and to do this, automakers need to be held responsible. They’re making enough money, and it is an absolute necessity to begin transitioning to cleaner forms of transportation.
Join me next week as I go ‘Beyond the News’ and give you my take on the current state of the industry and beyond.
While many automakers have initiated this step into their future plans, the way to put pressure on some of the larger carmakers is to make emissions standards more strict. Eventually, it would be ideal to get all cars to run off of sustainable forms of energy. It would be best for the environment, and better for our pockets. After all, the amount of clean air that has come from gas-powered cars being off the road is evident. Skies are clear in Los Angeles, and water is cleaner in Italy.
What do you think about the new emissions rollbacks? Do you agree with the new standards, or do you think they should have been left the way they were? Let me know on Twitter or through email!
I use this newsletter to share my thoughts on what is going on in the Tesla world. If you want to talk to me directly, you can email me or reach me on Twitter. Reach out!
-Joey
Elon Musk
X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.
An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.
A Near Fall
During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.
Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.
X User to the Rescue
It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.
Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.
Not Planned, But Welcomed
The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump.
“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger
The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.
There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail.
A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.
Charging Charger Fails
As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.
Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.
Alleged Aftermath
As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.
The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.
Lifestyle
Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results
Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.
Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.
Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.
Tank vs. Tesla
In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.”
He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.”
The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.
Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?
As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.
Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.
This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.
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