Halleluiah and pass the 93 octane please.
CAFE fuel economy standards set by the Department of Transportation are pretty much dead and it’s a wonderful thing. While they technically still exist, the Big Beautiful Bill Act moved to eliminate any penalties for automakers not complying with CAFE. That means the ridiculous push to cram turbocharged four-cylinder engines in full-size trucks and SUVs is over.
Florida troopers are once again patrolling in marked Mustangs.
V8 engines are back on the menu and the day is already brighter. In recent years, CAFE was being used to force consumers into electric vehicles by constantly ratcheting up fuel economy standards for automakers.
People are beyond tired of the government trying to decided what engines they get to use in their cars. We’ve watched as unelected federal regulators have essentially killed diesel engines for consumer vehicles, then aim that same agenda at the V8.
But don’t worry, there are throngs of journalists and activists who are outraged at this move. They’re convinced that not using the government to kill V8s and eventually all internal combustion engines, forcing everyone into EVs or walking will in fact lead to the extinction of life on this planet.
For others, driving an underpowered vehicle that’s far more complex, thus is breaks more and costs more to repair seems stupid and unnecessary.
Some other car sites that lean in the direction of using government authoritarianism to get what they want are having a bit of a hissy fit over this new development. They’re busy mocking Americans loving V8 engines like that’s the worst thing ever.
We think America’s love affair with the automobile, including V8-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs is a beautiful thing. Private car ownership is literal freedom, not just a symbol. But we’re keenly aware other nations have tried making fun of that, we suspect more out of jealousy than anything else.
Let automakers rain V8-powered models on our heads again and let’s be rid of these whimpy, small engines. There’s no replacement for displacement, after all!
https://theautowire.com/2025/07/14/cafe-fuel-economy-standards-are-dead/
