Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

EPA Fuel Economy Myth: Too High, Too Low?

Posted by Cliff on from the estimates-and-science dept.

ThosLives asks: "I have seen here on Slashdot , and just about every other publication, numerous articles about fuel cells, hybrid vehicles, and the inaccuracies of EPA fuel economy stickers. For instance, today there is a review of the Toyota Prius that had the famous line 'Since no car really achieves the EPA estimated mileage...' I happen to drive a car with an EPA sticker of 21 city 25 highway (all figures in miles per gallon). I've driven the car for 47000 miles and the lowest I've ever seen is 23 and some change; the highest, 36.3 (I'm probably about 60% highway 40% stop-and-go and yes, the high was on a long highway trip). My all-time average is about 28.5. As most people get less than the EPA mileage, how does the Slashdot readership fare when it comes to EPA sticker vs actual experience, and on what type of vehicle?" "Am I a rare breed that can drive my car (2.0L I4, 170 HP, 6-speed manual) aggressively (I've had coworkers and friends say 'woah!' more than I'd like to admit *grin*) and still stomp the EPA sticker? Did I get lucky with a phenomenal car? Am I enough of a counter-example to thwart the belief that the EPA figures are 'too liberal'? Are fuel economy issues just FUD from [insert lobby group of choice]? Or is the answer simply 'it depends on how you drive, what you had for breakfast, and the color of your neighbors' cat?'"

6 of 1,378 comments (clear)

  1. Thus the phrase... by wayward_son · · Score: 5, Funny

    Your mileage may vary.

    1. Re:Thus the phrase... by Will242 · · Score: 5, Funny

      True, every little bit matters... ...but my bicycle gets 20 miles to the burrito. My round-trip commute to work takes 1.2 burritos. And believe me, if I wasn't commuting via bicycle to work, I'd be consuming the fuel anyways.

    2. Re:Thus the phrase... by Aardvark99 · · Score: 5, Funny
      ...my bicycle gets 20 miles to the burrito. My round-trip commute to work takes 1.2 burritos.
      Great, first the Middle East, now Mexico.
  2. Depends on Cat by pyrrhonist · · Score: 5, Funny
    Or is the answer simply 'it depends on how you drive, what you had for breakfast, and the color of your neighbors' cat?

    My mileage dropped drastically after pieces of the neighbors' cat got caught in the air intake.

    If it hadn't been a black cat I wouldn't have run over it at night.

    So, yes, mileage depends on the cat's color.

    --
    Show me on the doll where his noodly appendage touched you.
  3. How the English improve their MPGs by NewtonsLaw · · Score: 5, Funny

    You Americans could learn a lot from the rest of the world when it comes to getting more MPGs.

    Just do what we do -- use a bigger gallon!

    Low-tech solutions to hi-tech problems :-)

  4. Re:I get reasonable mileage... by jayayeem · · Score: 4, Funny

    '03 Vibe GT, I get from 26 - 28 mpg most of the time. long highway trips I might see 31mpg. Usually just a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Neighbors on both sides have Marmalade cats, as do we. Do you think its the cats?

    --
    I metamoderate, therefore I am