Fuel Economy Sticker Shock
By Todd Kaho
 There are two numbers that really stand out on a new vehicle's window sticker and they are about to change. By far they are the largest characters on the document—much bigger than the price or even the model name of the car or truck. Printed in bold type to be read from a distance, the digits of prominence explicitly command your attention. As you might guess, those numbers are the Environmental Protection Agency's city and highway fuel economy estimates.
Revised test procedures for the 2008 model year are reducing EPA estimates by an average of 12 percent for city mileage and approximately 8 percent for highway mileage. Hybrid cars are seeing the biggest change, in some cases as much as 25 percent. A Toyota Prius with 2007 EPA ratings of 60 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway will likely drop to approximately 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway on the 2008 model. Now that's sticker shock!
While I generally applaud the changes as more realistic, there is some trepidation. Auto-enthusiast publications generally evaluate cars under hard acceleration and a spirited driving style to explore its performance potential. Naturally, the "observed" fuel economy is often significantly less than the EPA numbers. Part of my test regime when reviewing a new vehicle is to make an effort to drive it as efficiently as possible for at least one tank. With a light foot and a few economy-minded techniques, I can almost always match or beat EPA numbers, even with hybrids. I wonder if the new lower standards might not "dumb-down" consumer expectations...and for those who care, make them not try quite as hard to achieve optimum fuel economy.
The EPA fuel ratings have come under fire in recent years as not accurately depicting real world fuel economy. A few years ago when gas was cheap, this wasn't much of an issue. As fuel became a bigger factor in everyone's monthly budget the outcry from consumers made the government take notice.
There are plenty of reasons to change the system. The biggest gripe about the old procedure was that the tests are over three decades old and are conducted on a static dynamometer that measures fuel economy based on Federal Test Procedure 1975 that was adopted from 1960s smog testing. In a nutshell, the tests don't accurately reflect the driving habits of American drivers. They are conducted under laboratory conditions at a mild 75 degree F temperature without running air conditioning or other accessories that hinder fuel economy. More specifically, the test regime utilizes very moderate acceleration rates and speeds lower than necessary to keep with the flow of today's traffic. Though the system was revised once in 1984 when city mileage was adjusted downward by 10 percent and highway mileage downward by 22 percent, it hasn't been modified since the end of the 55 mph national speed limit in 1985.
In the auto industry the window sticker is also known as a "Monroney." Named after Oklahoma Sen. Almer Stillwell "Mike" Monroney, who sponsored a bill that became The Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958, it was a major step for consumer rights when purchasing a new car. The Act required all new cars and trucks (under 8,500 pounds) sold in the United States to have a standardized window sticker displayed with pertinent information to help the consumer comparison shop and know exactly what they're buying. While the new EPA mileage test system isn't perfect, it's a move in the right direction that we think Mr. Monroney would welcome.
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