UMTRI: new vehicle average fuel economy in March up 0.2 mpg from February
03 April 2015
The average fuel economy (window-sticker value) of new vehicles sold in the US in March was 25.4 mpg (9.25 l/100 km)—up 0.2 mpg from February, according to the latest monthly analysis br. Dr. Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle at University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). They sugested that this change likely reflects the increased gasoline prices from February to March. However, fuel economy is still down 0.4 mpg from the peak reached in August 2014.
Overall, vehicle fuel economy is up 5.3 mpg since October 2007 (the first month of the monitoring). However, the average vehicle fuel economy during the first six months of this model year (October 2014 through March 2015)—25.3 mpg (9.29 l/100 km)—has stayed the same as during the preceding 12 months (October 2013 through September 2014).
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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 0.82 in January, unchanged from the value for December (the lower the value the better). This value indicates that the average new-vehicle driver produced 18% lower emissions in January 2015 than in October 2007.
The EDI takes into account both vehicle fuel economy and distance driven (the latter relying on data that are published with a two-month lag).
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It just shows how sensitive the US market is to the gasoline price.
Now imagine what would happen if you stuck an additional 50 cent / gallon gas tax on.
(You would still be way cheaper than Europe.)
[ But you might find it hard to get re-elected ]
Question: is it better to have a gradual increase (say c10/ year for 5 years) or a single increase of c50.
Posted by: mahonj | 04 April 2015 at 09:01 AM
With cheaper gasoline and improved economy, the increase in miles travelled may soon offset most of the gains obtained from reduced emissions and fuel consumption per miles?
Posted by: HarveyD | 04 April 2015 at 11:53 AM
@HarveyD: Demand is elastic, but it is not unlimited. On the other hand, as the vehicle fleet expands over time, total emissions may not fall much. We need changes in development patterns, better public transit etc. etc. to really make a difference. Some of this is happening, as younger people choose to live in cities and not drive much or at all.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 05 April 2015 at 08:23 AM
Yes, more and more people are moving into large cities. Unless better (lower cost) electric public transportation is installed and operated, more people will continue to create more traffic jams.
Time wasted to move in most large cities is increasing and getting very costly.
Large articulated autonomous city e-buses and shared autonomous e-cars (or mini-e-buses) could help to lower traffic jams.
Posted by: HarveyD | 06 April 2015 at 11:28 AM