It is said that everything begins in California. From emission regulations to the rising star that is the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Golden State seems to lead most of the nation’s automotive trends.
Now, comes word that the California Air Resources Board has come out with a new “Cool Cars” regulation which calls for the windows of all vehicles to be glazed. The board says that air conditioning consumes more gasoline and adds to greenhouse gas emissions. The new standard, according to the board will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 700,000 metric tons by 2020. Other benefits of the regulation are that cars will be 13 degrees cooler, fading of the vehicle’s upholstery would be reduced, and there would be less cracking of dashboards.
In order to achieve a sufficient cool down of a car interior, reports the Detroit News, the glaze has to include microscopic specks of metal oxide to reflect sunlight.
The regulation is slated to take effect in 2012.
Many industries that have connection to the car are questioning this regulation because the glaze could effect the performance of mobile phones, satellite radio and garage door openers. Toyota said that it used reflective glass on its Japanese models from 1989-1994 but dropped it due to its effect on radio waves. Major automakers, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers are asking the state to change the standards and call for the glaze to absorb the sunlight rather than reflect it. They say that this would not cause problems for wireless signals.
Honda said that the new requirement is not feasible on the current schedule mandated by the regulation and In addition, Chrysler said that its Jeep Wrangler with a soft convertible top uses flexible roll-up side windows which cannot meet the standards. So it may have to discontinue the model in California.
Finally, it is said that the initial cost over the life of the vehicle to include the glaze is $111. And the 2016 standard will add $250 to the cost of each vehicle. According to the state of California, it will take five to 12 years for consumers to regain the cost by reduced gasoline use.
What do you think of this regulation?
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