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EPA educates on cars' new fuel economy |
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The new U.S. estimates now taking into account the use of air conditioning will lead to a substantial drop in vehicles' fuel economy. A new website shows how older models would have been rated under the new methods.
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2007-02-20
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Compared to today's data, the city miles per gallon (mpg) estimates for most carmakers will drop by as much as 30%, and the highway mpg by as much as 25% for some vehicles. This is the result of first tests under more realistic driving conditions taking into account faster speed, colder outside temperature, and the use of cooling systems while driving. Alone operating the air conditioner on a maximum level can reduce mpg values by 5-25%.
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Although the new estimates will only apply to the model year 2008 and later, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now released estimated figures for cars and trucks going back to the 1985 model year as if they had been tested under the future methods. EPA's new comparison tool on the Fuel Economy site will allow consumers to see the likely impact of the changes on older and current vehicles.
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Background
In December 2006, EPA issued new testing methods for cars and light trucks to more accurately reflect modern driving conditions and habits. In the U.S. federal law requires automobile manufacturers to determine the fuel economy of new vehicles. This information is provided on a fuel economy label affixed to each vehicle's window to help consumers make informed decisions regarding the environmental and economic performance of the model in question.
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More information:
› EPA Fuel Economy website - New MPG Ratings
› See our related news from 12 December, 2006
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