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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?'"

10 of 1,378 comments (clear)

  1. blue by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    butt chez

  2. Re:GM cars actually quote LOWER than reality. tsar by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    yo dude that is the coolest thing you did. i treid doing something similar but your method is superior. man thats so cool. i wish i was there tos ee this man.

  3. news for nerds by kmac06 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Slashdot. News for nerds & leftists, stuff that matters.

  4. Re:Thus the phrase... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Hi!

    I really think you need to add a bunch of sponsor stickers, some really wide tires and a 130dbA subwoofer system.

    Because what you have now just isn't compensating for the tiny penis.

    Cheers,
    GNU/Wolfgang

  5. Re:Thus the phrase... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    PS. I do not have a tiny penis. Ask my wife or my two girlfriends. My wife complains it's too large. No worries--my girlfriends don't mind it a single bit. ;-)

  6. Re:Thus the phrase... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Yeah, it fits in their mouths easier because they're both toothless.

  7. Re:Thus the phrase... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    *youre* obsessive over *grammer* *arnt* you?

  8. Re:All these SUVs are beginning to embarrass me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    You're just pissed because everyone has a bigger car than you...

  9. Re:Economical? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic


    America doesn't need efficiency, it has your army holding down middle east oilfields on its behalf :)

  10. Some interesting fuel economy statistics. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

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