Mexican Media Brands
Carmakers Hike Fuel Efficiency, Power Output in U.S.
The average per-vehicle mass of new passenger cars and light trucks in the U.S. was unchanged from the 2012 to 2013 model year, but both fuel economy and horsepower continued to climb, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
#economics
Share
The average per-vehicle mass of new passenger cars and light trucks in the U.S. was unchanged from the 2012 to 2013 model year, but both fuel economy and horsepower continued to climb, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The agency says the average new vehicle weighed 4,015 lbs in 2013, up 38 lbs from 2012. The increase was caused mainly by consumers buying more trucks and fewer cars.
At the same time, average engine power rose 2% to 227 hp, zero-to-60 mph acceleration times dropped by one-tenth of a second and fuel economy climbed 0.5 mpg to 24.1 mpg, according to the EPA.
The agency says fuel economy gains were due primarily to improved engine and drivetrain efficiencies. Much can be attributed to the spread of gasoline direct injection engines and automatic transmissions with seven or more forward gears. The EPA adds that a sales shift from full-frame-based trucks to car-based crossovers also helped.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Tariffs on Autos: “No One Wins”
While talk of tariffs may make the president sound tough and which gives the talking heads on cable something to talk about, the impact of the potential 25 percent tariffs on vehicles imported to the U.S. could have some fairly significant consequences.
-
On Quantum Navigation, EVs, Auto Industry Sales and more
Sandia’s quantum navi, three things about EVs, transporting iron ore in an EV during the winter, going underwater in an EV (OK, it is a sub), state of the UK auto industry (sad), why the Big Three likes Big Vehicles, and the future of logistics.
-
Porsche Doubles EV Target for 2025
Porsche AG says about half the vehicles it sells by 2025 will be equipped with hybrid or all-electric powertrains, twice the ratio it forecast four weeks ago.