This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.
October 12, 2005
DOE and EPA Release Fuel Economy Data for 2006 Models
DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the 2006 Fuel Economy Guide on October 12th to help consumers make well-informed choices when purchasing a new vehicle. Hybrid and diesel vehicles continue to be the fuel economy leaders, with the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius hybrids topping the fuel economy top-ten list, followed by the Volkswagen New Beetle, Golf, and Jetta diesels. Other hybrids making the top-ten list for model year 2006 include the Lexus RX 400h, the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid (which is not yet available), the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The only conventional gasoline-fueled vehicle to make the top-ten list is the manual-transmission Toyota Corolla. The newly updated Fuel Economy Web site offers detailed information on vehicle fuel economy, including a complete downloadable version of the 2006 Fuel Economy Guide. See the DOE press release or go directly to the Fuel Economy Web site.
Fuel economy estimates, which appear on the window stickers of all new cars and light trucks, are determined by tests conducted by manufacturers and EPA according to EPA specifications. To ensure these estimates continue to remain as reliable as possible, EPA plans to propose updates to its fuel economy test procedures by the end of this year. The EPA also provides the Green Vehicle Guide Web site, which allows consumers to locate the cleanest running and most fuel-efficient vehicles. See the EPA's Fuel Economy program and Green Vehicle Guide Web sites.
A clear example of the fuel savings possible through fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuels is provided by DOE's Clean Cities Program, which on October 14th celebrated a landmark goal: displacing more than 1 billion gallons of petroleum, enough to fuel 2 million cars for a year. The program's 88 Clean Cities coalitions across the country helped achieve the milestone by implementing alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel blends, heavy-truck idle reduction technologies, and other fuel economy improvements. See the announcement on the Clean Cities Program Web site.
