Jeep ’s ragtop Wrangler is something of a staple in California, whether it’s found on the rugged Rubicon Trail or prowling Venice Beach – but new “Cool Car” regulations aimed at curbing emissions and fuel use by reducing air conditioning power could spell the end of soft-top Wrangler sales in the Golden State.
The regulations put out by the California Air Resources Board will force automakers to install advanced glazing on glass designed to keep air conditioning systems from working too hard in warm weather. So strict are the regulations that they would turn glass moonroofs “effectively black” and would not allow for the flexible plastic windows used in the Wrangler.
Hardtop variants of the Wrangler could be made to 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,” 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 begin taking affect in 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 percent of the sun’s energy from entering the cabin. That requirement would jump to 60 percent by 2016.
Although the regulations have not been finalized, 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 signals from GPS and cell phone devices, according to Garmin International, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association. The groups submitted a letter that warns that “more time was needed to assess the impact” and that ankle bracelets – used on parolees, cell phones, laptops and GPS devices “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 Mary Nichols, CARB chairwoman.
