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Vehicle MPG Ratings to Fall: What’s the Skinny?
Here’s the deal: You’re sick of large, gas guzzling SUVs, and you are sick of paying $2.80 a gallon for premium. “I’m going to go green,” you reason. “I’m going to go out and buy a new Toyota Prius and get 60 miles per gallon on the highway.”
Not so fast buster. Yes, current (2007) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) miles per gallon ratings show that the Prius does indeed get 60 highway mpg. But the current EPA standards are based on a test cycle that does not factor in your lead foot, the use of air conditioning or that megawatt, power draining stereo you ordered as an option.
New standards that begin with 2008 models will reflect real life driving scenarios. New mpg ratings for the Prius fall from 60 mpg highway to 48 mpg. That’s a huge decline for those who thought hybrids were the panacea for the SUV blues.
The current standards were created in the 1970s, and have been the subject of controversy since manufacturers started touting these super mpg numbers with hybrids. If you recall, during the 1970s we had the dreaded 55 mph national speed limit. Of course if you drive 55 you’ll get better fuel economy than if you’re clipping along at 80. In fact, 80 mph is the daytime speed limit on Interstate Highways in some states, and the unofficial Automotive Rhythms speedometer shows that wherever we go to test the latest rides, folks are throwing down on the highways.
To determine what the new mpg for your car will be, go to www.fueleconomy.gov and click on “Compare Old and New MPG Ratings.”
For the purposes of this article, we chose the 2007 Honda Civic with a 1.8-liter gas engine and five speed automatic tranny. Old EPA numbers were 30 city/40 highway for a combined rating of 33 mpg. New ratings are 25 city/36 highway for a combined rating of 29 mpg.
Looking at the same Civic, but this time with the 1.3 liter hybrid engine and Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the old numbers show 49 city and 51 highway for a combined number of 50 mpg. New numbers are 40 city, 45 highway with a combined 42 mpg rating. The site even gives data compiled by “Drivers Like You” that show actual combined mpg for the Civic Hybrid is 43.1 – just about spot on with EPA estimates.
The site also give you tips on how to save those precious drops of fuel.
Demand for hybrids has dropped since this news has broken. If you support hybrid technology, now is the time to purchase one. Toyota is offering incentives on the Prius for the first time with the current generation vehicle.
The bottom line is if you want to be fuel conscious and Earth friendly, there are many good choices, both gas and hybrid, diesel and flex fuel, large and small, that may suit your everyday driving needs. Simply educate yourself, make your choice, and strike your best deal.
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