Fuel economy calculations to be altered By James R. Healey, USA TODAY http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2006-01-10-epa-fuel-economy-ratings_x.htm The government plans to change how it calculates fuel economy for new cars and trucks, the first modification since 1985 and one that will knock down expected mileage for city driving in conventional cars 10% to 20% and in gasoline-electric hybrids up to 30%. The new ratings, a response to a 2002 petition from California environmental group Bluewater Network, are supposed to closely mirror the fuel economy that typical drivers get, which is roughly 15% less than the ratings currently posted on new vehicle window stickers. Mileage tests to undergo change AAA has done mileage tests. It says results are similar to those from current and proposed EPA testing methods. Owner mileage1 Current2 Forecast3 2005 Ford F-150 14.3 16.8 15.7 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 15.0 17.8 13.9 2002 Honda Accord LX 27.8 26.2 25.4 2002 Honda Civic 27.9 34.2 33.3 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid 48.8 47.6 36.0 2002 Ford Explorer 16.8 18.3 16.8 2005 Toyota Camry 23.7 28.5 24.2 2003 Toyota Corolla 32.8 33.1 32.7 2005 Toyota Prius 37.3 56.0 44.3 1 — Mileage per gallon comes from real-life driving by AAA members. 2 — AAA's combined city-highway results using today's government standards. 3 — AAA's results using a similar method to what the government plans. Source: AAA The new ratings begin with 2008 models, most of which go on sale next year. The numbers will be printed on window stickers that might, for the first time, include a rating for combined city-highway driving, as well as separate city and highway numbers. That will be hashed out in a 60-day public comment period. The lower ratings don't mean 2008 models will suddenly have gotten worse, just that they are being rated using tougher tests. Essentially, the Environmental Protection Agency will blend results from three tests it already conducts to measure exhaust pollution. Those include high-speed driving, air-conditioning use and cold-temperature operation — common conditions not included in the 30-year-old test from which today's fuel-economy numbers are calculated. Hybrid numbers will come down more because they work best when driven conservatively in mild temperatures that don't tax their batteries or require air conditioning. Activist groups said the new, more accurate mileage numbers are a good move, but perhaps not enough. While the move will make most vehicles seem more fuel-thirsty than today's ratings do, "it will not force the auto companies to deliver cars that actually get better gas mileage," noted the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The EPA's new ratings have no effect on what's called CAFE, the corporate average fuel economy standards that all automakers are required to meet. Those are calculated differently and are overseen by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
