Mexican Media Brands
EPA Updates Fuel Economy Test
The U.S.
#economics #regulations
Share
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has modified rules used by carmakers to calculate fuel economy ratings. The changes aim to make estimated fuel-economy levels more realistic.
The new rules clarify how manufacturers calculate road load values in coast-down tests to estimate aerodynamic drag and tire rolling resistance. The values are used to calibrate dynamometers upon which carmakers run their vehicles through EPA's test cycle.
The tweaks come after the EPA discovered errors in the calculations by four carmakers. The agency subsequently fined and/or ordered Ford, Hyundai, Kia and Mercedes-Benz to lower their fuel-economy claims. The agency's audits of cost-down data are continuing.
Chris Grundler, director of EPA's Office of Transportation Air Quality, tells Automotive News the agency also plans to tighten rules that have allowed carmakers to apply the same fuel economy estimates for multiple vehicle lines that share the same powertrains and approximate weight.
RELATED CONTENT
-
China and U.S. OEMs
When Ford announced its 3rd quarter earning on October 24, the official announcement said, in part, “Company revenue was up 3 percent year over year, with net income and company adjusted EBIT both down year over year, primarily driven by continued challenges in China.” The previous day, perhaps as a preemptive move to answer the question “If things are going poorly in China, what are you doing about it?, Ford announced that it was establishing Ford China as a stand-alone business unit.
-
On Headlights, Tesla's Autopilot, VW's Electric Activities and More
Seeing better when driving at night, understanding the limits of “Autopilot,” Volkswagen’s electric activities, and more.
-
Enterprise Edges into Self-Driving Car Market
U.S. rental car giant Enterprise Holdings Inc. is the latest company to venture into the world of self-driving vehicles.
