EPA: Average fuel economy goes up in U.S.
In some ways, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn't have it easy. But there is one thing that the agency can point to and say, once again, we're moving forward: mpg averages. The EPA issued a statement today (available after the jump) that said that the average mpg rating for all new cars and light duty trucks sold in the U.S. will increase in 2008. This year's increase should be up 0.2 mpg from last year, to a solid but uninspiring 20.8 mpg. I say "should be" because the final tally won't be known until early 2009. This will be the fourth annual increase in a row and the highest since 1993, and the agency is pushing further. The main reason for the increase, the EPA said, is not just more efficient vehicles (esp. light trucks) but also that fewer light truck are being sold. The more fuel efficient small cars are sold, the better the nation's average gets.
[Source: EPA]
PRESS RELEASE:
Environmental Protection Agency
(Washington , D.C. - Sept. 19, 2008) For the fourth consecutive year, EPA is reporting an increase in the average fuel efficiency for cars and light duty trucks, to a projected 20.8 miles per gallon (mpg) for 2008. This year's projection is a 0.2 mpg up tick over last year's value.
The actual 2008 fuel economy value will be available when the automakers submit their final annual sales data in early 2009. EPA expects the final mpg for 2008 to be higher than the automakers initial projections since gas prices have since increased.
"This report shows we're driving in the right direction," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Increased fuel efficiency is not only a smart consumer choice, but also a smart environmental choice."
EPA's annual report, "Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2008," which provides data on the fuel economy and technology characteristics of new light-duty vehicles including cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks, confirms that average fuel economy has improved each year beginning in 2005, and is now the highest since 1993.
Most of the increase since 2004 is due to higher fuel economy for light trucks, following a long-term trend of slightly declining overall fuel economy that peaked in 1987. These vehicles also have a slightly lower market share, peaking at 52 percent in 2004 with projections at 48 percent in 2008.
The new fuel economy trends report is available at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fetrends.htm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 2:40PM (9/19/2008)
With how many more small cars are selling this year than last, I'm surprised that the new fleet average is going up so little.
Reply
Peter 2:50PM (9/19/2008)
20.8mpg is nothing to celebrate. My car gets 20mpg but it's 30 years old so I deal with it. I would be embarrassed to buy a new car that got less than 25.
Reply
Dave 3:04AM (9/20/2008)
Green Car Congress posted a much better analysis of the EPA press release here:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/09/projected-new-u.html
Reply