2012 Fuel Economy of New Vehicles Sets Record High: E.P.A.

The E.P.A. (EPA) on December twelve reported that model year 2012 vehicles achieved an all-time high fuel economy average of 23.6 miles per gallon (mpg). This represents a 1.2 mpg increase over the previous year, making it the 2nd biggest yearly increase in the last 30 years. Fuel economy has now increased in 7 of the last 8 years, according to the yearly E.P.A. reports.

EPA's yearly "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2013" report attributes much of the recent improvement to the rapid adoption of more efficient technologies, such as gasoline direct injection engines, turbochargers, and advanced transmissions.

Fuel economy is expected to continue to enhance under the Obama administration's National Clean Car Plan standards. The Plan doubles fuel economy requirements by 2025 and cuts vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by half. The requirements will save American families $1.7 trillion dollars in fuel costs, and by 2025 will result in an average fuel savings of in excess of $8,000 per vehicle. The Plan will also save twelve billion barrels of oil and by 2025 will reduce oil consumption by in excess of two million barrels per day. See the E.P.A. press release and the complete report.

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