When NHTSA recently released draft regulations to implement the fuel economy requirements from December's Energy Bill a controversial element of the proposal were the footprint-based thresholds. Rather than setting a single requirement that all manufacturers fleets would have to meet, the proposal set mileage thresholds based on the vehicle's footprint (the wheelbase x track width). Each manufacturer would get a requirement based on a sales weighted average of the footprint values for the vehicles it sells. Companies that sell more vehicles with large footprints would have a lower requirement. At the time, I postulated that this might have the effect of encouraging carmakers to stretch the wheelbase and track of their new models in order to lower the required fuel economy.

Now we have a sighting of what is likely a mule for the next generation BMW 1-series. While this vehicle was obviously built before the recent rule announcement, and it does follow the long time trend of making successive generations of a car bigger, it certainly points to the possibilities of the new rules. Of course I'm using this particular photo to illustrate the possibilities of the rules. Instead of encouraging manufacturers to go smaller, the opposite is the case. The upside is that with fuel prices likely to continue rising, consumer demand for more efficient vehicles will likely outpace anything the feds try to do on this subject and the whole discussion will be moot.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Click the photo for a high-res gallery of the 2007 Honda F1 car

With the Australian Formula One Grand Prix going over the weekend, all the crews were in Melbourne for the start of the 2007 F1 season including the Honda Racing F1 team which has "My Earth Dream" livery this year. In a move to offset their team's carbon footprint for the big race, drivers Jenson Button & Rubens Barrichello visited the Albert Park Primary School prior to the race and presented the school with eco-friendly fluorescent globes.

Over the course of one year, the more efficient fluorescent globes will save the school AUD$8,000 (US$6,362) off their electricity bill and 44.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions - more than five times the team's CO2 race footprint. The drivers also showed off the hydrogen-powered Honda FCX concept and their new F1 car in its earth livery.

Analysis: This is a fantastic idea by the Honda Racing F1 team and great PR to boot. It's amazing to think what a small change like replacing the lights in a primary school can have on emissions, because you're average F1 car is far from fuel efficient in gross usage.

Related:

• Is motorsport the "perfect" way to showcase green cars or is it a waste of fuel?
• Honda F1 confirms plan to promote environmental awareness with 2007 livery
• In the Books: Australian Formula One Grand Prix

[Source: Honda Racing press release]