UMTRI: average new vehicle fuel economy decreased in 2015 from 2014
07 January 2016
The average fuel economy (window-sticker value) of new vehicles sold in the US in calendar year 2015 was 25.3 mpg (9.29 l/100km), down 0.1 mpg from the value for the vehicles sold in 2014, according to the latest monthly report from Dr. Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle at University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). The average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the US in December was 24.9 mpg (9.44 l/100 km)—down 0.2 mpg from the revised value for November.
The UMTRI team suggested the decline likely reflects the continuing drop in the price of gasoline in December, and the consequent increased sales of pickup trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. Fuel economy is down 0.9 mpg from the peak reached in August 2014, but still up 4.8 mpg since October 2007 (the first month of their monitoring).
The University of Michigan Eco-Driving Index (EDI)—an index that estimates the average monthly emissions of greenhouse gases generated by an individual US driver—was 0.84 in October, up 0.01 from September (the lower the value the better). This value indicates that the average new-vehicle driver produced 16% lower emissions in September 2015 than in October 2007, but 6% higher emissions than the record low reached in August 2014.
The EDI takes into account both vehicle fuel economy and distance driven.
Cheap gas = back to the future?
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 January 2016 at 07:33 AM