Average mpg of new vehicles sold in U.S. falls for third straight month, study says
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DETROIT -- The average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States dropped in June for the third straight month, University of Michigan researchers say.
The average fuel economy for vehicles sold in June was 23.6 mpg, down from 23.7 in May and 23.9 in April, according to a report by the university’s Transportation Research Institute. Since the institute began tracking monthly changes in October 2007, fuel economy has increased 17 percent.
Since the start of the year, when average fuel economy was 23.6 mpg, the average has risen to a record peak of 24.1 in March, then fallen.
U-M researchers say tumbling gasoline prices have led to lower average fuel economy.
A report from AAA shows that gasoline prices have steadily declined since April, when the average national price for self-serve regular gasoline was about $3.92 per gallon. Today’s average was $3.38 per gallon, down from $3.55 a month ago.
U-M PRESS RELEASE: Vehicle fuel economy down again in June
ANN ARBOR, Mich.-Fuel economy of all new vehicles sold in the United States has dropped for the third month in a row-likely reflecting the continuing reduction in gas prices, say researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
Average fuel economy (window-sticker values) of cars, light trucks, minivans and SUVs purchased in June was 23.6 mpg-down from 23.7 in May, 23.9 in April and 24.1 in March-but still a 17 percent increase (3.5 mpg) from October 2007, the first month of monitoring by UMTRI researchers Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle.
In addition to average fuel economy, Sivak and Schoettle issued their monthly update of their national Eco-Driving Index, which estimates the average monthly emissions generated by an individual U.S. driver. The EDI takes into account both vehicle fuel economy and distance driven-the latter relying on data that are published with a two-month lag.
During April, the EDI stood at 0.81, down from 0.83 in March and tying the best mark ever set in February (the lower the value, the better). The index currently shows that emissions of greenhouse gases per driver of newly purchased vehicles are down 19 percent, overall, since October 2007.
Finally, Sivak and Schoettle report the unadjusted Corporate Average Fuel Economy performance. This index is based on a different set of EPA ratings than window-sticker values.
For June, unadjusted CAFE performance was 29 mpg, down from 29.1 in May, 29.3 in April and 29.6 mpg in March, but an increase of 17 percent (4.3 mpg) since October 2007.
Fuel economy calculations, along with a graph and table of current and recent mpg: www.umich.edu/~umtriswt/EDI_sales-weighted-mpg.html
Eco-Driving Index calculations, along with a graph and table of current and recent values: www.umich.edu/~umtriswt/EDI_values.html
Unadjusted CAFE performance, along with a graph and table of current and recent mpg:
http://www.umich.edu/~umtriswt/EDI_sales-weighted-CAFE.html
You can reach Adam Rubenfire at arubenfire@crain.com.
