| Vol. 10 | No. 1 | Winter 2007-2008 |
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Dialogue
How will the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) revised fuel economy testing procedures affect new cars and trucks? |
In response to concerns that the fuel economy estimates printed on window stickers do not reflect drivers’ real-world experiences, the EPA is changing the way it computes these estimates. Beginning in model year (MY) 2008, the government’s fuel economy tests will include three driving conditions previously unaccounted for: air conditioning use, high-speed/aggressive driving, and cold temperatures. The EPA expects the resulting fuel economy estimates to be about 12 percent
lower, on average, for city driving and 8 percent lower for highway driving.
It is important to note that these lower estimates do not reflect an actual change in a vehicle's fuel economy, but rather a more accurate assessment of its gas mileage. This is especially true for hybrids, which are more sensitive to the driving conditions added to the testing procedures and are therefore expected to display the greatest drop in estimated fuel economy: 20 to 30 percent lower for city driving and 10 to 20 percent lower for highway driving. Nevertheless, because the estimates for other vehicles worsened as well, hybrids remain fuel economy leaders and continue to represent the best environmental choice for most consumers.
To learn more about the new testing methods and find adjusted fuel economy estimates for vehicles built prior to MY 2008, visit www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ratings2008.shtml.
Also in this issue of Earthwise:
Close to Home
Lower Your Impact—and Your Taxes
