EPA-DOE Release Fuel Economy Lists for 2008 Models - Numbers reflect new fuel economy testing methods

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released the 2008 Fuel Economy Guide to help consumers make well-informed choices when purchasing new vehicles.

“Today’s consumers expect the biggest bang for their buck. By fueling them with information on this year’s fleet of vehicles, we are putting Americans in the driver’s seat to save money at the pump and protect our environment,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “As we see in the wide range of fuel efficient leaders, ’going green’ can fit the needs of any lifestyle.”

“Greater fuel efficiency is something we must approach more aggressively, effectively and creatively than we have over the past 30 years,” Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said. “The president’s ambitious Twenty in Ten Plan forces us not only to approach increased vehicle efficiency like never before, but significantly reforming CAFE standards in a way where safety remains a priority.”

Data show that hybrid vehicles continue to lead the government’s fuel economy ratings and hybrid technology can be effectively used to improve fuel economy. The Toyota Prius tops the list at 48 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. More hybrid models are available than ever - including SUVs as well as cars - giving consumers greater choices when shopping for fuel efficient vehicles.

Fuel economy estimates, which appear on the window stickers of all new cars and light trucks prior to sale, are determined by tests that manufacturers and EPA conduct according to EPA specifications. This year’s label values are based on new test methods EPA finalized in December 2006. The new methods are designed to better account for actual driving conditions that can lower fuel economy, such as higher speed driving, use of air conditioning and cold weather operation. Because of the new methods, fuel economy estimates for all vehicles will generally be lower than those of last year.