US Toughens Fuel Economy Estimates for New Cars
Date: 12-Dec-06
Country: US
Author: John Crawley
The new approach by the Environmental Protection Agency -- the first revision in 21 years -- should bring vehicle mileage estimates closer to actual fuel use, regulators said. The change applies even to gas/electric hybrids and other fuel sipping cars that have become more popular with US consumers this year as fuel prices went up.
"Consumers can get more bang for their buck by considering fuel use while shopping for cars and trucks -- saving money on refueling costs while helping protect our environment," said EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson.
Miles per gallon estimates for most vehicles in city driving are expected to fall between 12 percent and 30 percent, while highway estimates will dip on average by 8 percent. Some vehicles could see a 25 percent decline.
Average US gas prices fell for the first time in five weeks as of Monday to US$2.29 a gallon, the Energy Department reported.
Model year 2008 vehicles, which could be available for sale in January, will be the first to display new estimates on window stickers, the EPA said.
Additionally, environmental officials will require fuel economy labels on heavier sport utility vehicles and vans beginning with the 2011 model year.
EPA has relied on data from laboratory tests to determine city and highway fuel economy estimates. Auto companies conduct separate tests based on EPA guidelines.
The agency will now factor in real world driving conditions. The changes will include high speeds, aggressive acceleration, air conditioning and driving in cold weather -- all factors that can lower fuel savings.
Automakers said the new estimates are about what the industry expected but industry is stressing to consumers -- especially as the changes take effect - that mileage estimates will vary.
"The vehicles haven't changed at all, just how we calculate fuel consumption," said Gloria Bergquist, a spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the chief trade group for big car makers.
Hybrids, with a battery as a second power source, sophisticated systems, and a smaller engine in some cases, can be more sensitive to cold weather and air conditioning use, experts said.
Although hybrid mileage estimates are expected to fall by up to 30 percent in city driving and 20 percent for highway use, they will remain among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road, the EPA said.
The EPA update is separate from the minimum fuel economy standards the Transportation Department requires for passenger cars and light trucks, which include pickups, sport utilities and minivans.
