For the first time in seven
months, average fuel economy of all new vehicles sold in the United States is on the rise, say researchers at
the University of
Michigan Transportation Research
Institute.
Average fuel economy of
cars, light trucks, minivans, and SUVs purchased in October was 22.6 mpg, up
from 22.1 mpg in September.
According to Michael Sivak,
research professor and head of UMTRI's Human Factors Group, average fuel
economy of all new vehicles bought last month is at its highest level since May
and registered its first increase since March—when it hit an all-time high of
23 mpg.
"The increase is
likely a consequence, in part, of the improved fuel economy of model year 2012
vehicles, which were introduced this fall," Sivak says.
Average fuel economy for
new vehicles sold is now 2.5 mpg better than just four years ago.
In addition to average fuel
economy, Sivak and UMTRI colleague Brandon Schoettle issued their monthly
update of their new national Eco-Driving Index (EDI), which estimates the
average monthly environmental impact of 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.
For a third straight month
(August), the EDI stood at 0.86. The index currently shows that emissions of
greenhouse gases per driver of newly purchased vehicles are down 14% since late
2007.
SOURCE
