“Cool car” legislation could hurt Wrangler sales in California
October 13, 2009 by Matt Brogan
It seems the fun police are at it again with the US state of California set to introduce new “cool car” legislation aimed at curbing emissions and fuel use by reducing air conditioning power.
The strict new regulations could threaten the popularity of such open-top staples as the Jeep Wrangler with the California Air Resources Board forcing manufacturers to install advanced glazing on glass – to keep air conditioning power use to a minium – and tinting glass sunroofs until they are “effectively black”.
The rules also disallow flexible plastic windows, such as those used in Jeeps popular soft-top Wrangler models.
Hardtop variants of the Wrangler could also be made comply with the regulations, but those models account for comparatively small volumes in Jeep’s warmer climate markets.
“The very popular Jeep Wrangler fitted with a soft convertible top uses flexible roll-up side windows which are not capable of meeting the side window standard,” Mr Ross Good, Chrysler’s senior manager of government relations told CARB.
“Outlawing the soft top would require us to use the hard-top vehicle with the hard windows, which would add significant weight to the vehicle.”
The proposed regulations are set to take affect from 2012, although there is a “roll-in” period before the strictest requirements arrive in 2016. Beginning in just two model years, vehicle windows would need to be capable of preventing 45 per cent of the sun’s energy from entering the cabin. That requirement would jump to 60 per cent by 2016.
Although the regulations are yet to be finalised, CARB hopes to publish its completed regulation by the end of this month. The public will be given a 15 day comment period before the final laws are set by next May.
The glazing also affects GPS and mobile phone signals with phone carriers saying “more time was needed to assess the impact”. In an interesting twist, ankle bracelets – as used on parolees – “may be adversely affected by the metallic reflective standard.”
CARB is adamant about the benefits of the new standard despite the costs added to vehicles, which the board says would be recuperated in five to 12 years of normal driving.
“This is a common sense and cost-effective measure that will help cool the cars we drive and fight global warning,” said Ms Mary Nichols, CARB chairwoman.
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If I owned a Wrangler I would never use the air-con anyway because I would either have the frameless and windowless doors or no doors altogether.. which I’m pretty sure is how most americans would drive them when it was hot!
Also, if many new air-cons become electric based wont they be much more efficient… or why can’t the manufacturers be allowed to develop ultra efficient air con units that minimise power draw from the engine.
The funny thing is the millions of people who live in LA will be allowed to get out of their cars and jump into the houses with the air con pumping and totally destroy any carbon emissions they MAY have saved!!
Simple, don’t fit air conditioning. Do you really need a/c in an open convertable?
How about just using a electric compressor?
I think some cars already have this, like the prius.
Because that is too simple an idea for these highly intelligent legislators to busy themselves with.
Too right, or when it’s too hot why not just open up the window, take down the top, or just remove the doors??
But then I guess the bureaucrats would loose out on weeks worth of “work” (meetings & discussions)..
I don’t understand people who think just because you’re in a convertible you suddenly dont feel the effects of the sun?
Have you ever been in a convertible on a hot and sunny day?
In a normal car with a metal roof n lining your car heats up, imagine now without your roof to stop the suns rays
You only get airflow if you’re doing at least 70kph so in stop start traffic u need air-con just like any other car
I think there are better ways to reduce emissions than to reduce air conditioning
Even if you tint all the windows in a soft top it heats up like a circus tent anyway
Oh for crying out loud…. you have an overweight ladder-framed chassis’d, front & rear live axled 4wd with a 4.0 litre boat anchor up the front and you curb emissions by…. glazing the side windows?!?!? What kind of drugs are these legislators on?
Very good point, a newer engine might help. maybe making it lighter.
Actually Wranglers don’t come with a 4.0l engine anymore (they haven’t came with them for years)! It’s either a 3.6 v6 petrol, or a 2.8l diesel…
Regardless, they should worry about getting the main stream V8 fuel guzzlers of the road before worrying a niche market such as the Wranglers!!
By the Way, Wrangler Rubicon = Most Capable Offroader straight out of the box!!
Here’s a thought. Allow us in California to tint our front windows!
Asshats!
These greenies are UN F*CKING believable……What a bunch of ignorant do gooders
We should be promoting the use of motorcycles around town!!! I dont feel guilty driving a 5.7 around on the weekend when im blurting to work on a 250cc all week