DOWNWARD TREND IN PASSENGER CAR FUEL ECONOMY: A VIEW OF RECENT DATA

Last year's technology and miles per gallon automotive trend report noted an 0.4 mile per gallon decline in average passenger car fuel economy from 1988. Regarded as possibly just a one-time blip in the curve, the decline was neither emphasized nor subject to any close scrutiny. The model year 1990 data is in, and it shows another decline in fuel economy-it is now a two-year trend. If this backslide continues, problems with nationwide fuel consumption will increase and global warming trends will worsen at a pace faster than is generally being assumed by analysts. Thus it is appropriate to explore some of the characteristics of, and causes for, of the downward miles per gallon.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also PB89-215396.
• Corporate Authors:

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Control Technology & Applications Branch, 2565 Plymouth Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48105
• Authors:
  • Murrell, J D
  • Heavenrich, R M
• Publication Date: 1990-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 15 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Fuel conservation; Fuel consumption; Global warming; Passenger transportation; Statistical trends
• Uncontrolled Terms: Mileage
• Old TRIS Terms: Miles per gallon
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Passenger Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497057
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA/AA/CTAB-90/01
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM