I wonder where VW plans to sell these cars. The growing problem in Europe is congestion because of the failure to accommodate the public desire to own and operate a private vehicle in spite of also having the best passenger train systems. They are slowing down their trucks and moving them into truck only lanes as well as using some pretty fancy computer systems that anticipate congestion and adjust speed limits to prevent total shut down and stoppage.

Every vehicle requires a certain operational space in front of it. The longer the lane space in front of the vehicle, the faster you can go. The US has gone from 28.6 people per lane mile to 35.1 people per lane mile from 1980 to 2004. To go 70 MPH, trucks need about 420 feet and cars need about 360 feet in perfect driving conditions. Compared to the problem of getting more gas mileage, I think building and maintaining a system of infrastructure that will accommodate the volumes in the future is a much harder problem than increased fuel efficiency. The more the politicians help, the longer it will take for both problems.