Thanks for the mansplain. I long ago gave up trying to guess every presumption someone might make to one of my posts and trying to account for it up front. Yes, of course I understand WHY AFM/DoD exists. What I'm trying to convey is that it doesn't actually result in a meaningful benefit in the real world. Ergo, the regulators are forcing this down our throats and it's a farce.
I don't think I can stand on a soap box high enough to reiterate what you said. I've been saying this for years-za. Some people get it, others like to argue about it (usually ignorant people), and some just don't comprehend it.
CAFE is a game that the EPA, oil companies, tree huggers, and auto mfg all play together. Make up "new reasons" for needed lower emissions. Auto mfg accommodate these new rules from EPA - who aren't engine designers BTW. This increases "justifiable " vehicle cost (think back to any news cast about auto mfg).
THE end result is engines burning more fuel to do the same amount of work. While "cleaner" by some contrived standards, they don't account for more fuel used (to be clean???), extra wear and tear, reduced powetrain life, costs passed on to end user after warranty, etc.
Good examples are new diesels. They could be SUPER efficient with the new technology available, but are bastardized by BS regulations. The 3.8L gm v6 was a stellar, bulletproof motor - scrapped because it wasn't clean enough. Funny though that a 2005 Impala with the 3.8L was classified as a PZEV. I owned 3 and would own them again forever.
Follow the money. Higher emission standards = more fuel to be cleaner = more $ revenue = more $ for future repairs and/or new vehicle sales because they are now disposable items.
Sorry for the rant......but ultimately not sorry. Just sorry for the people affected by this crap.