UMTRI: new vehicle fuel economy down in February
04 March 2015
The average fuel economy (window-sticker value) of new vehicles sold in the US in February was 25.2 mpg (9.33 l/100km)—down 0.2 mpg from January, according to the latest monthly analysis by University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) researchers Dr. Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle. This decrease in fuel economy likely reflects the increased market share of light trucks, SUVs, and crossovers in response to the inclement winter weather in a large part of the country, they suggested.
Overall, vehicle fuel economy is up 5.1 mpg since October 2007 (the first month of their monitoring).
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The monthly update of 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 delayed because of a delay in the release of the vehicle distance data by FHWA.
If cheaper gasoline and economic recovery keep up, Americans will buy more larger SUVs, Pick-ups, heavy sedans and 600+ hp muscle cars. The (5 mpg) gain of the last six years could disappear as quickly.
This could be the right time to double or triple the Federal fuel taxes. progressively, at the rate of one (1) cent/gallon/month over the next 18 to 36 months or so.
Posted by: HarveyD | 04 March 2015 at 10:04 AM
@Harvey - I agree, a good time to raise gas taxes the USA.
Question is - all at once, or in tiny increments as you suggest.
I suggest all at once because:
a: It will have more impact and
b: Politicians will have less time to change it back.
Since gas has dropped so much recently, you can't really pull the "It hurts the poor" argument.
Posted by: mahonj | 04 March 2015 at 01:34 PM
@ mahonj...regardless of how it is done, the present Congress would NEVER approve it as long as Oil can be pumped out of the ground somewhere! Dig baby dig is here for many years to come.
Posted by: HarveyD | 04 March 2015 at 03:16 PM