Midsize Car Fuel Economy is Forced By Government – 2016

 

midsize-car-fuel-economy-is-forced-by-government-2016

Federal Government Influencing Automakers

The federal fuel economy target of 54.5 mpg by the 2025 model year masks a complex set of factors,  some of the are:

  • Targets are determined by a vehicle’s size category. This ensures small cars and SUVS have similarly ambitious, but different goals.
  • Each year’s target is based on a predicted sales mix of cars to light trucks. If light trucks account for a larger share of sales than predicted, the target goes down. If they make up a smaller share than predicted, the target rises.
  • Various federal credits enable automakers to lower their target.
  • The final number 54.5 is the regulatory compliance mpg, based on lab testing. It equals to about 40 mpg on Monroney stickers.

Turbocharging and engine downsizing: 7.7% – 8.3% fuel reduction.

Cost: $245-282

– Gasoline direct injection: 1.5% fuel reduction.

Cost: $164

– Low-friction lubricants, engine friction reduction: 1.3% fuel reduction.

Cost: $51

– Drag reduction: 2.5% fuel reducion.

Cost:$100

– Low-rolling-resistance tires: 2.0% fuel reduction.

Cost: $31

– 8-speed automatic transmision: 1.3% – 1.7%

Cost: $47 – $115

– Exhaust gas recirculation cooler: 3.0% – 3.5% fuel reduction.

Cost: $180

– Improved electrified accessories: 2.4% fuel reduction.

Cost: $37

– Mass reduction of 5% – 10%: 4.6% fuel reduction.

Cost: $151 – $315