A study by University of Michigan researchers reveals that the average fuel economy of a vehicle manufactured in 2012 has improved by a significant 14 percent compared to those fabricated in 2008.
Therefore, the researchers found out that cars improved economy by 2.8 mpg, light trucks by 1.6, while full-sized vans saw the smallest increase (only 0.2 mpg).
Automatic transmission vehicles increased by 2.5 mpg and manual transmission vehicles by a comparable 2.8 mpg. Diesels, in general, grew their fuel economy by a whopping 9.8 mpg and gasoline vehicles only by 2.6 mpg.
The disappointment comes from hybrids, which despite technological achievements actually dropped 3 mpg probably because of their wider range available now, compared to 2008 and because new models include SUVs and vans, which tend to sink the numbers a bit.
These figures are only for the United States. Europe, on the other hand, has had double the mpg since the 90′s, so the technology has been there, but has not been used in the U.S. maybe just because economical interests didn’t allow that and people accepted, blinded by the imposing image of big trucks and muscle cars – the American “symbol”.
Now, when the world confronts maybe the harshest economical crisis of the last 100 years, people in the U.S. and the world are tempted to buy not the most powerful cars but the most economical ones (or somewhere in between): “Consumers tend to choose vehicle models with better fuel economy than the average of all vehicles available,” said Brandon Schoettle of the U-M Transportation Research Institute. “The recent economic downturn, coupled with rising gas prices, has led to an increased interest in purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles.”
[via physorg]
Liked it? Share onFacebook and Google +1:
| |  No comments yet.Break the ice! |  E-mail Updates |  |
| Also share story on: | Become our facebook fan |
Read next:
Study Reveals Young People Would Drive HybridsGeneration Y (GenY) consumers seem more environmentally-conscious than previous generations, according to a study made by New York-based accountancy firm Deloitte. Apparently, young people between 19 and 31 really do mind what they drive, and the majority (59%) of them would opt for hybrid mainly, augmented with pure battery electric (2%). The research included 1,500 [...]
Daimler's Herbert Kohler Optimistic About Fuel Cell Cars Getting Diesel-Cheap in the Next 2 YearsThe German automobile producer Daimler (the owner of the Mercedes brand) seems to be quite optimistic about the development of fuel cell cars in the near future. Yesterday I wrote about Tesla Motors’ CEO, Elon Musk, who was also enthusiastic about his own niche, battery-powered electric vehicles.
Former GM Economist Reveals Auto Industry ConspiracyFormer General Motors economist Walter McManus reveals some shocking statements that show GM not only ignored the consumers’ wishes regarding fuel efficiency, but intentionally misled the public opinion on fuel efficiency.
60,000 Green Cars Will Run on Chinese Roads Until 2012Approximately 60,000 alternative fuel vehicles will run on the streets of China until 2012. The initiative is part of the effort to reduce emissions and save energy, announced the Minister of Science and Technology of China, Wan Gang, quoted by Xinhua press agency.
Hybrid Cars Safer Than Gas-Only Siblings Due to Weight, Study FindsHybrid cars may have lots of advantages related to fuel economy, but a recent study performed by the Highway Loss Data Institute found out they’re even safer in a case of crash than their non-hybrid counterparts, MSNBC reports. The analysis took into account only hybrids that have a gas-only powered sibling, like the Toyota Highlander [...]
Comments from our readers
3167 total comments so far. What's your opinion ?- No comments on this article yet.
