New-vehicle fuel economy remains at record high, researchers say
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Fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States remained at its highest level in November, University of Michigan researchers said Wednesday.
Greenhouse gas emissions in September, meanwhile, declined to their lowest level since researchers began tracking them in October 2007.
The average fuel economy on window stickers of new cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks sold in November was 24.1 mpg, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute researchers Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle reported.
The fuel economy was unchanged from October and the highest since the researchers began tracking the data in October 2007, when it was 20.1 mpg.
The researchers’ Eco-Driving Index, an estimate of greenhouse gases produced by an individual U.S. driver who bought a new vehicle in September, reached a record low of 0.80 for September, meaning that estimated monthly emissions were 20 percent lower than in October 2007, when the index was established at 1.00.
The index is based on the fuel economy of vehicles purchased and the distance driven. The September index is down from 0.81 in August and July.
Click here for fuel economy calculations, along with a graph and table of current and recent mpg.
Click here for eco-Driving Index calculations, along with a graph and table of current and recent values.
