Fuel Economy Fleetwide in U.S. at Record Levels
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Fuel Economy Fleetwide in U.S. at Record Levels
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=20204
So, it looks like average horsepower is going up along with average fuel economy. Although according to this article, the average vehicle weight is declining. I don't see how they get that figure unless they include the massive decline of truck and SUV sales.
Fuel efficient and powerful engines like the Ford EcoBoost help increase power and efficiency (Source: Ford) Numbers for 2009 show truck sales decreased sharply.
The EPA is tasked in part with getting the automotive industry in the U.S. to meet standards on fuel economy. The goal of the standards is to not only reduce the nations need for foreign oil, but to reduce the amount of pollution that is produced by cars that burn more fuel.
According to the EPA, the fuel economy in the overall vehicle fleet in the U.S. during 2009 hit a record high. The overall fuel economy has increased 1.4 mpg to 22.4 mpg, the highest overall fuel economy rating in the U.S. since the EPA starter tracking fuel economy overall line 1975. The overall fleetwide average fuel economy for 2010 year model vehicles is expected to grow to 22.5mpg.
Part of the increase in overall fuel economy according to the EPA was that American consumers opted for smaller, less powerful vehicles. The Detroit News reports that overall, buyers in the U.S. purchased fewer trucks and SUVs last year than in previous years. The average horsepower rating of a new vehicle decreased between the 2008 and 2009 model years along with the average weight.
The Detroit News reports that the average vehicle weight in 2009 was 3,917 pounds compared to an average weight in 2008 of 4,085 pounds. Average horsepower fell from 219 in 2008 to 208 in 2009. However, the average horsepower fleetwide for 2010 is expected to grow significantly to 220.
That growth is in large part due to turbocharging technology from automakers that produces plenty of power while maintaining very impressive fuel economy. Ford has crammed a high-tech V6 engine in its base 2011 Mustangs offering 300hp and still getting 30 mpg on the highway so horse power ratings should increase again in 2011 overall.
According to the EPA, truck production fell to 40% of the total fleet on the roads in 2009, which was a sharp decline from 47% of the fleet in 2008. The 40% mark for 2009 is the lowest percentage of trucks since 1995.
The EPA is tasked in part with getting the automotive industry in the U.S. to meet standards on fuel economy. The goal of the standards is to not only reduce the nations need for foreign oil, but to reduce the amount of pollution that is produced by cars that burn more fuel.
According to the EPA, the fuel economy in the overall vehicle fleet in the U.S. during 2009 hit a record high. The overall fuel economy has increased 1.4 mpg to 22.4 mpg, the highest overall fuel economy rating in the U.S. since the EPA starter tracking fuel economy overall line 1975. The overall fleetwide average fuel economy for 2010 year model vehicles is expected to grow to 22.5mpg.
Part of the increase in overall fuel economy according to the EPA was that American consumers opted for smaller, less powerful vehicles. The Detroit News reports that overall, buyers in the U.S. purchased fewer trucks and SUVs last year than in previous years. The average horsepower rating of a new vehicle decreased between the 2008 and 2009 model years along with the average weight.
The Detroit News reports that the average vehicle weight in 2009 was 3,917 pounds compared to an average weight in 2008 of 4,085 pounds. Average horsepower fell from 219 in 2008 to 208 in 2009. However, the average horsepower fleetwide for 2010 is expected to grow significantly to 220.
That growth is in large part due to turbocharging technology from automakers that produces plenty of power while maintaining very impressive fuel economy. Ford has crammed a high-tech V6 engine in its base 2011 Mustangs offering 300hp and still getting 30 mpg on the highway so horse power ratings should increase again in 2011 overall.
According to the EPA, truck production fell to 40% of the total fleet on the roads in 2009, which was a sharp decline from 47% of the fleet in 2008. The 40% mark for 2009 is the lowest percentage of trucks since 1995.
So, it looks like average horsepower is going up along with average fuel economy. Although according to this article, the average vehicle weight is declining. I don't see how they get that figure unless they include the massive decline of truck and SUV sales.
Last edited by Slappy3243; Nov 19, 2010 at 03:07 PM.
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Re: Fuel Economy Fleetwide in U.S. at Record Levels
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From: The Golden State
Re: Fuel Economy Fleetwide in U.S. at Record Levels
Again, the fuel economy numbers you see on the window ISN'T what the Feds go by regarding CAFE. The numbers used for CAFE are significantly higher.
US makers as a group are in better shape to meet future CAFE standards than most all imports save Honda and (just barely) Toyota.
From a car only standpoint, reaching fuel economy goals by 2020 is childs play. We had much more tougher standards in shorter time during the original CAFE standards.
The only issue this time is that trucks (including heavy duty versions) are included with the numbers. That's why Hybrids and Electrics are big news today. They produce credits that can be used, or sold, or carried over.
Despite the "Doom-and-Gloomers" hysterics and crying, Hemis, Ultra powered Mustangs and Camaros, and such will easily be around through the middle of this decade, and will almost certainly be around in 2020 if the market still wants them. But the cost will go up and mainstream, volume brands will be where we'll see the real action and changes. Turbos, DI, VVT,and such will become the norm.
On top of that, this past recession made people less wasteful and more financially concious. People are paying attention to Fuel Economy as a financial matter. That's great. The more people who willingly buy fuel efficient vehicles, the more the hard core enthusiast will be unaffected.
Everyone should be happy that not every family wants (let alone needs) an LS3 powered sedan over a 4 or V6 powered version.
US makers as a group are in better shape to meet future CAFE standards than most all imports save Honda and (just barely) Toyota.
From a car only standpoint, reaching fuel economy goals by 2020 is childs play. We had much more tougher standards in shorter time during the original CAFE standards.
The only issue this time is that trucks (including heavy duty versions) are included with the numbers. That's why Hybrids and Electrics are big news today. They produce credits that can be used, or sold, or carried over.
Despite the "Doom-and-Gloomers" hysterics and crying, Hemis, Ultra powered Mustangs and Camaros, and such will easily be around through the middle of this decade, and will almost certainly be around in 2020 if the market still wants them. But the cost will go up and mainstream, volume brands will be where we'll see the real action and changes. Turbos, DI, VVT,and such will become the norm.
On top of that, this past recession made people less wasteful and more financially concious. People are paying attention to Fuel Economy as a financial matter. That's great. The more people who willingly buy fuel efficient vehicles, the more the hard core enthusiast will be unaffected.
Everyone should be happy that not every family wants (let alone needs) an LS3 powered sedan over a 4 or V6 powered version.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 676
From: Rixeyville, VA
Re: Fuel Economy Fleetwide in U.S. at Record Levels
Does this trend consider the effect the current economy has on the average given that truck sales are so low?
Many, many trucks were bought from 2000 to 2006, (not just by kid-toting SUV-driving soccer moms). A lot of these trucks were bought to serve the construction industry -- which has taken a hit of huge proportions. When the economy improves and this industrial engine heats up, I wonder what will happen to these averages?
Many, many trucks were bought from 2000 to 2006, (not just by kid-toting SUV-driving soccer moms). A lot of these trucks were bought to serve the construction industry -- which has taken a hit of huge proportions. When the economy improves and this industrial engine heats up, I wonder what will happen to these averages?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,448
From: Irving, TX
Re: Fuel Economy Fleetwide in U.S. at Record Levels
Again, the fuel economy numbers you see on the window ISN'T what the Feds go by regarding CAFE. The numbers used for CAFE are significantly higher.
US makers as a group are in better shape to meet future CAFE standards than most all imports save Honda and (just barely) Toyota.
From a car only standpoint, reaching fuel economy goals by 2020 is childs play. We had much more tougher standards in shorter time during the original CAFE standards.
The only issue this time is that trucks (including heavy duty versions) are included with the numbers. That's why Hybrids and Electrics are big news today. They produce credits that can be used, or sold, or carried over.
Despite the "Doom-and-Gloomers" hysterics and crying, Hemis, Ultra powered Mustangs and Camaros, and such will easily be around through the middle of this decade, and will almost certainly be around in 2020 if the market still wants them. But the cost will go up and mainstream, volume brands will be where we'll see the real action and changes. Turbos, DI, VVT,and such will become the norm.
On top of that, this past recession made people less wasteful and more financially concious. People are paying attention to Fuel Economy as a financial matter. That's great. The more people who willingly buy fuel efficient vehicles, the more the hard core enthusiast will be unaffected.
Everyone should be happy that not every family wants (let alone needs) an LS3 powered sedan over a 4 or V6 powered version.
US makers as a group are in better shape to meet future CAFE standards than most all imports save Honda and (just barely) Toyota.
From a car only standpoint, reaching fuel economy goals by 2020 is childs play. We had much more tougher standards in shorter time during the original CAFE standards.
The only issue this time is that trucks (including heavy duty versions) are included with the numbers. That's why Hybrids and Electrics are big news today. They produce credits that can be used, or sold, or carried over.
Despite the "Doom-and-Gloomers" hysterics and crying, Hemis, Ultra powered Mustangs and Camaros, and such will easily be around through the middle of this decade, and will almost certainly be around in 2020 if the market still wants them. But the cost will go up and mainstream, volume brands will be where we'll see the real action and changes. Turbos, DI, VVT,and such will become the norm.
On top of that, this past recession made people less wasteful and more financially concious. People are paying attention to Fuel Economy as a financial matter. That's great. The more people who willingly buy fuel efficient vehicles, the more the hard core enthusiast will be unaffected.
Everyone should be happy that not every family wants (let alone needs) an LS3 powered sedan over a 4 or V6 powered version.
Add mild hybrids to the list of things that will become standard, like the one on the new Buick LaCrosse. I am guessing that in a few years, it will be on a huge amount of vehicles.
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