U.S. Auto Fleet Hits Record 26.8 MPG
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported last week that the nation’s fleet of passenger cars and light trucks for the 2008 model year averaged an estimated 26.8 miles per gallon through March, up from 26.6 mpg for the entire 2007 model year, according to The Detroit News.
That’s up from a 25.7 mpg average in 2006, which also was a record. When actual sales are tabulated by year’s end, the fuel efficiency numbers are expected to be even higher because of owner/operator response to high gas prices, which included the shift of many to more fuel efficient vehicles.
Even with the gains, some cautioned that automakers likely will face dramatically higher fuel economy requirements over the next two decades because of the developing political climate.
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