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New UMTRI report on US vehicle fuel economy from 1923-2013 suggests need to focus on improving lower tails in each vehicle class

Green Car Congress

In a new report, researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) have calculated the actual, on-road fuel economy for the entire fleet of all vehicles in the US, and for different classes of vehicles, with primary interest in light-duty vehicles (cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs), between 1923 and 2013.

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EPA annual report on CO2, fuel economy and technology trends finds 2012 heading for all-time best; rapid adoption of new technologies

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Adjusted CO 2 emissions and adjusted fuel economy, MY 1975-2011. The report finds that CO 2 emissions rates and fuel economy values reflect a very favorable multi-year trend beginning in MY 2005. The fleet-wide average real world MY 2011 personal vehicle CO 2 emissions value is 398 g/mi and average fuel economy is 22.4

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Gasoline consumption per capita in 2020 was on par with that in 1965

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Not coincidentally, the first Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for new cars and light trucks became effective with 1978 model-year vehicles. Total consumption (millions of gallons). Consumption per capita. Consumption per capita (gallons). The maximum consumption per capita (505 gallons) was reached in 1978.

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New 3rd generation Audi TT diesel offers fuel economy of 56 mpg

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In the sections of the passenger cell that are subject to the most structural stress, form-hardened steel panels, which are both ultra-high-strength and light are used; these constitute 17 percent of the body’s weight. The hood, doors and trunk lid are also made of this light metal.

Audi 310
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Study Assesses Product Attribute Trade-offs and Technological Progress; Meeting Proposed Obama Fuel Economy Standards Will Require Downsizing and Change in Fleet Mix

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Changes in the attributes (clockwise from upper left, weight, power, fuel economy and torque) of the Honda Accord over time as an example of fleet trends in the US. In contrast, fuel economy actually increased by 15% during that period. Knittel, 2009. Click to enlarge.

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Chrysler and EPA to partner on hydraulic series hybrid powertrain for light duty vehicles

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Chrysler Group LLC and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are working together to determine the possibility of adapting a hydraulic series hybrid system for application in large passenger cars and light-duty vehicles. EPA and its partners announced the world’s first series hydraulic hybrid urban delivery vehicle in 2006.

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Volkswagen to intro Passat BlueMotion Concept at Detroit show; 4-cylinder with cylinder deactivation; 42 mpg highway

Green Car Congress

In this case, the Passat BlueMotion Concept has a manufacturer-estimated highway fuel economy of 42 mpg (5.6 ACT deactivates the valvetrain on cylinders two and three for situations when the driver only applies light throttle pressure to maintain specific city speeds. Engines Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Systems Weblogs'

MPG 285