EPA Changing Fuel Economy Estimates

[jpak]

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=11831

WASHINGTON -- Car buyers will be facing a new form of sticker shock when they browse dealer lots starting next year.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday issued new testing procedures that will cause fuel economy estimates on the stickers of new vehicles to drop an average of 12 percent for city driving on most 2008 model year vehicles, and 8 percent for highway driving.

Highly fuel-efficient vehicles are expected to see the largest slide, with ratings for city driving dropping by as much as 30 percent and highway driving estimates falling 25 percent from current levels.

Mileage estimates for gas-electric hybrids likely will be 20 percent to 30 percent lower for city driving and about 10 percent to 20 percent lower on the highway, the agency said.

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[NV Whino]

1. My car, the Honda Fit

gets exactly what was advertised--33 city, 38 highway.

[Canuckistanian]

2. Well, good. A more realistic rating.

I think they calculated the old way with the car going downhill with a tailwind.

[Kolesar]

3. My shaggin' wagon gets ~10% more than its rating

A Ford Windstar made in Essex, Ontario. That's what they called it on FM96.

This policy is going to hurt the hybrid-buzz. I have a hunch that the problem with the test is that there is no air drag.

[phantom power]

4. You get that extra mileage from all the mojo.

[Kolesar]

5. Yeah, baby, YEAH!

eom

[CRF450]

6. i notice that

Many vehicles get the estimated milage they were averatized for and many dont. My 02 WS6 Trans Am (yes, my daily driver!) was rated 19/28, I average around 23 to 24mpg, and have reached 31mpg on the highway.

This is my first post here BTW!