Fuel Economy: It's Your Problem Too

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

A University of Michigan study [ PDF] shows that, in the 85 years between 1923 and 2008, average on-road fuel economy in the US has improved a mere 3.5 MPG. In fact, the study shows that driving a car is even more energy-intensive (per occupant-mile) than flying on an airplane (3,501 BTU per mile versus 2,931 BTU per mile). Some will blame weak government regulations for this unimpressive result, but the study found that the convenient government scapegoat is not completely to blame.

This report presents information about the effects of decisions that a driver can make to influence on-road fuel economy of light-duty vehicles. These include strategic decisions (vehicle selection and maintenance), tactical decisions (route selection and vehicle load), and operational decisions (driver behavior).

The results indicate that vehicle selection has by far the most dominant effect: The best vehicle currently available for sale in the U.S. is nine times more fuel efficient than the worst vehicle. Nevertheless, the remaining factors that a driver has control over can contribute, in total, to about a 45% reduction in the on-road fuel economy per driver—a magnitude well worth emphasizing. Furthermore, increased efforts should also be directed at increasing vehicle occupancy, which has dropped by 30% from 1960. That drop, by itself, increased the energy intensity of driving per occupant by about 30%

So, the industry (and its government regulators) still have a huge impact on overall on-road fuel economy, as there is still a major swing between the most and the least fuel-efficient car. But, as the chart above shows, even if you do pick an efficient vehicle (36 MPG in this example), it’s still possible to operate it at a serious penalty to fuel economy. According to the report, consumers have the power to cut emissions by a much as 45% by paying closer attention to the following issues:

Maintenance: Keeping your engine tuned, using fuel-efficient tires, and using low-friction engine oils.

Route selection: Maximizing highway use, optimizing the route’s grade/elevation profile, avoiding traffic

Driving techniques: Minimizing idle time, minimizing engine revolutions, using cruise control, minimizing a/c use, and driving less aggressively

And this emphasis on personal responsibility for fuel economy even touches lifestyle choices you never associated with driving. For example, the study notes

the average adult in the U.S. in 2002 was about 24 pounds heavier than in 1960 (Ogden, Fryar, Carroll, and Flegel, 2004). This weight gain results in a reduction in fuel economy of up to about 0.5%.

In other words, fuel economy as a holistic goal is a partnership between the industry and consumers. After all, even if the government mandates super-high fuel economy standards, it’s still up to consumers to operate their vehicles such that they actually achieve their promised efficiency. The power is in our hands to ruin our own fuel economy by as much as 45%, whether we drive a fuel-sipping subcompact or a gas-guzzling pickup. The only problem is that consumers no more want to drive super-efficiently than manufacturers want to make super-efficient cars. But sooner or later, something’s got to give… especially since on-road fuel economy has improved by .04 MPG per year since 1923.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Alex159569 Alex159569 on Oct 18, 2011

    There's another aspect that hasn't really been discussed that I feel makes the quote "… especially since on-road fuel economy has improved by .04 MPG per year since 1923" misleading... If you look at the graph the category of 'medium and heavy trucks' only enters the picture in the mid-60's. Their 6 MPG average, combined with how much they get used today, means they really drag down the collective average, yet I'm sure no one here would want to get rid of them and rely on freight trains to get cargo everywhere. In a society where stuff needs to get transported as fast as possible there's no getting around their use, and I'd be interested in an average that does not take into account this category for a more realistic picture of how much personal cars have improved.

    • Zambaq Zambaq on Oct 18, 2011

      Yes, I agree that it's misleading. If you look earlier (to the left) on the time-line, you'll notice that cars are separated from "all trucks" starting 75 years ago. So avg. MPG data for cars alone (i.e. without the negative drag of heavy diesel vehicles, which of course we cannot do without at present) has existed from that time on. It looks as though fuel economy for cars reached its nadir -- about 13.5 MPG -- around 1973. But from that time, which coincided with the rise of OPEC, through 2008, it improved by a factor of 67%. On that basis, Mr. Niedermeyer might have put a more positive spin on things by pointing out that, over that period of 35 years, fuel economy for the kind of vehicle most of us drive has improved by an average of .26 MPG per year. Could be better, but not bad...

  • Redav Redav on Oct 18, 2011

    Not mentioned in the article (but highlighted in the comments): Where to live & work. I live in the suburbs; I work in the suburbs. My commute is thus very short--probably half of the typical length. Such a commute therefore cuts my gas (and other products, e.g., tires, oil changes) consumption proportionately. Another hidden benefit to short commutes: Reduced interaction between cars (traffic). Since I drive only a short distance, I never get on most of the roads that others use, so I never get in their way. If others do the same, they never get in my way. I suspect that when the math is worked out, there is a factoral relationship (increases faster than exponential) between miles driven & amount of traffic. Thus, even a small overall decrease in everyone's commute would make a significant difference in everyone's efficiency, time, & stress.

  • 1995 SC At least you can still get one. There isn't much for Ford folks to be happy about nowadays, but the existence of the Mustang and the fact that the lessons from back in the 90s when Ford tried to kill it and replace it with the then flavor of the day seem to have been learned (the only lessons they seem to remember) are a win not only for Ford folks but for car people in general. One day my Super Coupe will pop its headgaskets (I know it will...I read it on the Internet). I hope I will still be physically up to dropping the supercharged Terminator Cobra motor into it. in all seriousness, The Mustang is a.win for car guys.
  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
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