Proposals in the USA to raise average fuel consumption from 35.5mpg [US – about 43mpg UK] in 2016 to 62mpg (72.4mpg) by 2025 have been questioned in new research from the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The self-funded research suggests that achieving the higher standards would cost more in technology than the cost of the fuel saved; the ideal target, where fuel savings offset the cost of the technology, is 56mpg (abut 67mpg).
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CAR’s research, due to be published this week, says at that level, fuel costs would be reduced by as much as US$8,300 (GBP5,130) over five years but at 62 mpg, technology costs would exceed fuel savings by about US$1,500.
Last year, Washington proposed new CAFE rules beginning in 2017 that would require average increases of 3% to 6% per year, achieving 47 mpg (56.4mpg) by 2025 at the low end and 62 mpg at the high end.
