Featured What is 25.7 MPG?

Sometimes we need to wake up and smell the fumes. Our Prius easily double the fleet 25.7 MPG up to 52-56 MPG. With the now available PHEV and BEV, we can double our MPGe again.

Source_1: FOTW# 1177, March 15, 2021: Preliminary Data Show Average Fuel Economy of New Light-Duty Vehicles Reached a Record High of 25.7 MPG in 2020 | Department of Energy

Preliminary data for EPA’s 2020 Automotive Trends Report shows average fuel economy for model year 2020 light-duty vehicles increased to 25.7 miles per gallon (MPG). . . .​

Source: EPA Report: U.S. Cars Achieve Record High Fuel Economy and Low Emission Levels as Companies Fully Comply with Standards | US EPA

WASHINGTON (Nov. 19, 2021) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual Automotive Trends Report which shows model year 2020 vehicles achieved record high fuel economy and record low emission levels. Large automotive manufacturers also achieved full compliance with greenhouse gas emission standards. Projections indicate sales of hybrid and electric vehicles will more than double from 2020 to 2021, according to the report.

“Today’s report is a great indicator that automakers are following through with their promise of achieving clean car standards while providing consumers with great vehicle options,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I am optimistic that the innovation and marketing power of the auto industry, coupled with President Biden’s unprecedented support for a zero emissions future, will accelerate cleaner technologies, sharply cutting pollution to meet the climate challenge.”

Key Highlights

• Since model year 2004, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have decreased by 24 percent as fuel economy has increased by 32 percent.
• CO2 emissions for the average 2020 model year vehicle fell to 349 grams per mile (g/mi), the lowest ever measured, and seven g/mi lower than the average for model year 2019.
• Average Fuel Economy for model year 2020 vehicles increased to a record 25.4 miles per gallon (mpg), 0.5 mpg more than the average for model year 2019.
• Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles are poised to grow, but are currently at low adoption levels. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for 2 percent of all production, and hybrids 5 percent. In the projected model year 2021 data, those categories are estimated to grow to 4 percent and 9 percent of all production.

In August, President Biden signed an Executive Order that sets an ambitious new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles. At the same time, EPA proposed a new rulemaking under the Clean Air Act that by 2026 would establish the strongest greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and light duty trucks in history.

To read the full EPA Automotive Trends Report, please visit: The EPA Automotive Trends Report | US EPA

To explore Trends data through our new interactive data tool go to: Explore the Automotive Trends Data | US EPA​

Bob Wilson

 

Empiricism is addictive. As Dr. Demming once said:


Bob Wilson

 

I suspect the COVID slowdown had a lot to do with slightly improved MPG. Regardless, use 25.7 MPG as a yard stick of how much more could be done:

• replace gas taxes with an odometer, weight and wheel annual registration fee
• Increase cost of emissions credits based on MPG
• cancel ICE contracts and require environmental impact studies for ICE only vehicles
• Declare mine-to-tires EV materials are a national strategic resource
• Programs to demonstrate regen braking utility and service vehicles
• More renewable power generation and home/business solar

But even today:

• Hybrids with 50 MPG rating
• PHEVs with 75 mile EV range, 75 MPGe
• BEV with 250 mile EV range, 100 MPGe

Bob Wilson