EPA seeks improved fuel mileage standards

[Ghost Dog]

The Environmental Protection Agency will propose new methods of calculating and estimating gasoline mileage sometime next month, with a goal of putting them into place in time for next fall's 2007 model introductions.



"We think we will have to adjust the current estimates downward," said EPA spokesman John Millett. "

There's already evidence that the difference in mileage figures for cars and trucks under the new standards will be substantial. In October, for example, Consumer Reports said its testing of a cross-section of 2000 to 2006 cars and trucks found as much as a 50 percent difference between what EPA cited as the mileage rating and what its testers were abler to achieve.

The Jeep Liberty Diesel 4WD, rated at 22 mpg in the city by EPA, got only 11 mpg in the test. The Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan, rated at 48 mpg in the city, could manage only 26 -- a 46 percent lower rating. And the popular Chrysler 300 C was cited at 17 mpg in the city by EPA, vs. 10 by Consumer Reports.

Other outlets also have found considerable discrepancies in mileage figures. AAA, which also has called for a change in EPA fuel economy standards, tested a number of 2003 and 2004 models and found that a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, rated at 20 city/26 highway by the EPA, could only achieve 17.5 mpg. A 2003 BMW Z4, with an EPA rating of 21/29, was calculated at 15 mpg.

Yep just in time for the Return of American muscle. 10 mpg Eh?

[VenSeattle]

I have no problem with this, as long as the EPA's average is accurate... or close to accurate. People shopping for muscle cars, SUVs, and trucks have MPG as a lower priority. I really see this impacting hybrids more than the aforementioned segments.

[razoredge]

The Jeep Liberty Diesel 4WD, rated at 22 mpg in the city by EPA, got only 11 mpg :lol:

The Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan, rated at 48 mpg in the city, could manage only 26 :lol: hey now !!!!! thats the car of the years right there, hell a magazine supposedly got 28 pounding the poop out of a "regular Honda" :lol: my HUUUGE full dress Oldsmobile gets 22 in town.

And the popular Chrysler 300 C was cited at 17 mpg in the city by EPA, vs. 10 by Consumer Reports. No kiddin, really ? DUH ! Its a HEMI :blink:

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, rated at 20 city/26 highway by the EPA, could only achieve 17.5 mpg :lol: my old HUUUGE 90 Regency gets 20 around town

BMW Z4, with an EPA rating of 21/29, was calculated at 15 mpg. No way :lol: Thats a BEEMER right there, every Americans BABY :rolleyes:

Do you think the press and auto tabloids will FIXATE on these lies and realitys or will they simply continue to look under the seats to find whats wrong with a GM ?

:unsure: Edited December 30, 2005 by razoredge

[Ghost Dog]

the thing is people will look at the ratings on the window sticker. I doubt many people will buy 10 mpg cars or 7 mpg suvs. 2007 suvs will have mileage ratings like 1980.

[regfootball]

so far my 04 aztek reaches its city EPA ratings and my 06 500 does as well. in fact, both exceed them. however, they both come up slightly shy of the highway EPA ratings. i know hemis and hybrids get worse mileage than their stickers, but man...those numbers are NOT good. i wonder what the corvette's new numbers would be? my buddy who has a new pilot only gets 15mpg so i would hope that sort of shortage in mpg shows up in that sticker. i cannot imagine the crapline getting any better than that either. Edited December 31, 2005 by regfootball

[SingleStylish]

The manufacturers it will really hurt are the ones that engineer around getting the best EPA fuel mileage. I believe Toyota has done this much before. For those car companies that engineer vehicles for the highest combined economy, I see this improving the numbers.

[CaddyXLR-V]

Will the regulations be adjusted accordingly? Or will the avg required still be the 27.5 or whatever it is, even when cars drop ~20% across the board?

[Ghost Dog]

Will the regulations be adjusted accordingly? Or will the avg required still be the 27.5 or whatever it is, even when cars drop ~20% across the board?

[post="65067"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I was wondering the same thing. Cafe Standards are supposed to go up for 07. It sounds like everyones cafe avg will be worse. While standards are higher.

[razoredge]

Will the regulations be adjusted accordingly? Or will the avg required still be the 27.5 or whatever it is, even when cars drop ~20% across the board?

[post="65067"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I dont think you will find this effecting General Motors. Any GM I have had achieve their EPA's. On a side note my buddys C5 with the LS1 has so far a lifetime average of 23mpg.

This will mainly effect the imports whom have been playing the American public like a finely tuned violin.