Despite an increased push towards more fuel efficient vehicles, the average fuel economy of new cars sold in the United States remained flat last month.
According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, the average fuel economy of a new vehicle purchased in the U.S. During September was 22.1mpg, matching the mark set in August. UMTRI suggests that lower gas prices are likely to blame for the stagnation in fuel economy.
“This decrease is likely related to a slight drop in gas prices since spring, because people tend to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles when gas prices go up,” said Michael Sivak, research professor and head of UMTRI’s Human Factors Group.
Despite September’s lack of improvement, average fuel economy for new cars is still up 2mpg from 2007. Green house gas emissions have also fallen 14 percent during the same period.
Although most automaker’s have backed President Obama’s new 54.5mpg standard for 2025, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers – which represents 12 major automakers – used the flat average to voice concerns about forcing consumers into more efficient vehicles.
“Fuel economy is really a measure of what consumers are buying. Consumers care about mileage, but they also make car buying decisions on things like passenger room, cargo space and all-wheel drive,” said Gloria Berquist, a spokeswoman for the group. “There are more than 160 models on sale that achieve 30mpg or more, and if consumers bought them in high volumes, the fuel economy would be higher. To achieve the government’s higher CAFE standards, we will need consumers to buy our fuel-efficient autos in big numbers.”
The 2025 regulations will require vehicles to achieve about a 39mpg real world average.
1.’New vehicle fuel economy…’ view
