US vehicle fuel economy falls in August

Average fuel economy (window sticker values) of cars, light trucks, vans and SUVs purchased in August was 25.3 mpg, down 0.1 mpg from July, according to research conducted at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).

"This decline likely reflects the decreased price of gasoline in August and the consequent increased sales of light trucks and SUVs," said Michael Sivak, Research Professor at UMTRI. Overall, fuel economy was down 0.5 mpg from the peak reached in August 2014, but up 5.2 mpg from October 2007, according to results from the first full month of monitoring by Sivak and UMTRI colleague Brandon Schoettle.

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 0.82 in June, unchanged from May (the lower the value the better). This value indicates that the average new vehicle driver produced 18% lower emissions in June 2015 than in October 2007, but 4% higher emissions than the record low reached in August 2014.

Click here for more information about the monthly monitoring of vehicle fuel economy and emissions at UMTRI.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/03092015/us-vehicle-fuel-economy-falls-in-august-1337/