August 2014 US New-Car Fuel Economy Hits All-Time High Of 25.8 MPG
The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute’s monthly United States new-car fuel economy report is out, and it’s a doozy: August 2014 saw an all-time high of 25.8 mpg.
Automotive News reports the figure is the highest recorded since UMTRI began calculating averages in October of 2007, when the average then was 20.1 mpg. The most recent peak came in May, when the average was 25.7 mpg before dropping to 25.5 mpg the following month.
As for greenhouse emissions, the institute’s Eco-Driving Index fell to 0.78 in June, tying the record low first calculated in November 2013. The metric posits the lower the number — beginning at 1 in October 2007 — the lower the emissions.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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I do think the mpg should be removed from the graph and a number as a measure or value of new cars sold with the CAFE number given. I have read that owners' of pickups, like the Pentastar Ram are returning a real life FE average of between 16-17mpg. The same goes for the Eco Boost F-150s with around the same or a little less. I have also made this comment before and the fanboi's always manage to maintain the manufacturers' FE. But yet they describe how fast their trucks accelerate...Hmmmmm??? I see a lot of debating using the manufacturers figures during debates on FE. But these figures are far from accurate. I have read that diesel FE figures are the most reliable and much closer to the what the CAFE or EPA figures are.
I'm quite sure 25.8mpg has been regarded as a 'gas guzzling dinosaur' in most of Europe for at least 25 years by now. Seriously, people wonder how I can afford to run my CR-V, and it averages roughly 24mpg. On the other hand, most people do buy underpowered boring diesel wagons over here. Again, people wonder why I need that huge 150 hp 2 liter engine... A V6 Accord would be considered a (very cheaply assembled) luxury racecar over here (and would be taxed as one too).