EPA seeks improved fuel mileage standards

[Thom Little]

The Environmental Protection Agency will propose new methods of calculating and estimating gasoline mileage sometime next month, with a goal of putting them into place in time for next fall's 2007 model introductions.

But while consumers presumably would get more realistic, reliable gas mileage ratings from the updated standards, they also may find fewer car choices available in the showroom.

EPA has long been criticized for using outdated standards for evaluating fuel economy that consumer groups, auto industry officials and car buyers say severely overstate mileage by failing to reflect contemporary "real world" driving conditions.

.......

"We think we will have to adjust the current estimates downward," said EPA spokesman John Millett. "We as motorists now spend a lot more time in congestion than we did 20 years ago. The type of vehicles that we drive are different. Twenty years ago, air conditioning and power windows were options. Today, they are standard and ... have a detrimental effect on fuel economy."


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05363/629214.stm

[Javaman]

1. The EPA under moron* is like a stooge waking from a slumber..