AN ANALYSIS OF TEST PROCEDURE CHANGES MADE DURING 1975-1979 WITH RESPECT TO MEASURED FUEL ECONOMY EFFECTS

This paper presents an analysis of each of the changes in EPA test procedure since 1975 which have been identified as potential areas where it may be argued that changes in EPA regulations have resulted in a decrease in measured vehicle fuel economy. In many cases these changes were technical improvements which increased the accuracy of the test procedure or provided for improved fuel economy recognition of technical improvements. In other instances these changes were considered necessary to prevent or restrict abuses of various aspects of the EPA fuel economy measurement procedures. In general, it is easy to demonstrate that under specific circumstances a given vehicle might show a degradation in fuel economy between the 1975 and the 1979 model year test procedure. It is intended that this paper provide the background information and the direction for indepth questioning of premises that changes in EPA regulations since 1975 have reduced measured fuel economies.

• Corporate Authors:

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Standards Development & Support Branch, 2565 Plymouth Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48105
• Publication Date: 1978-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 13 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Automobiles; Dynamometers; Exhaust gases; Forecasting; Fuel consumption; Humidity control; Performance evaluations; Regulations; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Change; Revisions
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Law; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00313906
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA-AA-SDSB-79-09 Tech Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 1980 12:00AM