20 years of progress? Cars are Faster and Fatter but Fuel economy unchanged.

The average fuel economy of passenger vehicles in the United States was 21 mpg in 2006, the EPA announced this week. In 1987 it was 22.1 mpg, and in 1997 it was 20.9. Average weight now stands at an all-time-high of 4142 pounds — more than the typical 4060 in 1975, when most vehicles averaged 13.1 mpg.
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chewy - 7/19/2006 3:55:30 PM

+1 Boost

DMX1

You are absolutely correct. Those SUVs and pickups need gas guzzler tax. Currently they don't pay any taxes for their gas guzzling, but cars with same fuel economy do.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/info.shtml#guzzler

The EPA people are hypocrites.

wwww - 7/20/2006 7:33:16 PM

+1 Boost

I also don't get why you never see passengers on SUVs, is always JUST the Driver. Is there a POINT to all these people driving the BIG SUVs when most of the time is just 1-2 persons/vehicle.

I think people should buy SMART for two and other small vehicles for commuting from the suburbs to work or daily cross town driving and save the SUVs for recreational driving or when there is a need to carry 5+ persons.