| |
 Fuel economy hits all-time low in America.
2001-10-09
With its penchant for pick-up trucks and 4x4s, the US vehicle industry fuel economy has hit a record low according to an EPA industry report. The average miles per gallon of all new (2001) vehicles sold in America now stands at a fuel-hungry 20.4, despite recent findings that mpg figures could effortlessly stand around 40. The emerging trend of Sports Utility Vehicles, essentially off-road people carriers, are reducing the figure further, with the new Ford Excursion a market leader in America, averaging a measly 12mpg in highway driving. If manufacturers increased fuel economy by just three miles per gallon, a reduction of over 140 million metric tons of CO2 could be achieved, whilst consumers would save around $25bn a year in fuel costs. With Congress currently deliberating the issue of energy security and domestic fuel sustainability, the report comes as an immediate point of action.
| |
