Gas Mileage: Why MPG Numbers Really Matter

(Page 4 of 5)

August/September 2007
By James Kliesch 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Boosting CAFE standards has been a notoriously difficult sell in Washington. “It’s been a little bit like pushing a Chevy Suburban uphill with your nose,” says Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club global warming program and an 18-year veteran of the CAFE struggle. That may be changing. Over the last few years, devastating hurricanes, Middle East instability and gasoline price spikes have brought oil back to the forefront of the national consciousness. At press time, there was new momentum in Congress for the notion of mandating better fuel economy, but the outcome was unclear at best. So the fight is far from over; voicing your opinion will help your representative understand the importance of this issue.

RELATED CONTENT

Ultimately, taking a personal interest in your fuel economy is one of the easiest and most important ways to make a difference. The more you pay attention, the more you’ll find yourself seeking ways to improve the results. Plus, it’s nice to reap the rewards of high mpg when gas prices are on the rise, as fuel-efficient vehicles offer “insurance” against volatility in the gasoline market. Yet regardless of whether gas prices level off or skyrocket to $5 a gallon, continued efforts to improve fuel economy will play an important role in mitigating global warming and our dependence on fossil fuels. So get that tuneup, check the tires, fill the tank, zero the trip meter and see how high you can push your mpg. It’s an open road, and you’re the driver.

Mother Earth News contributing editor James Kliesch lives outside Washington, D.C., and is a nationally recognized expert on automobiles and their effects on the environment. He is the principal vehicle analyst for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and author of ACEEE’s Green Book Online, an annual buyer’s guide to vehicles.

Same Car, New MPG

Make & ModelSize classOld mpgNew mpg

Old CO² estimate

New CO² estimate
Toyota PriusMidsize60/51/5548/45/462.6 tons/year3.1 tons/year
Honda Civic HybridCompact49/51/5040/45/422.9 tons/year3.4 tons/year
Ford Escape Hybrid (4WD)Small SUV32/29/3128/27/274.6 tons/year5.3 tons/year
Nissan Versa (CVT)Midsize30/36/3226/33/284.5 tons/year5.1 tons/year
Dodge Dakota (3.7L auto. transmission, 4WD)Compact pickup15/19/1714/18/158.4 tons/year9.5 tons/year
Hummer H3Midsize SUV15/19/1714/18/158.4 tons/year9.5 tons/year
Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.