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EPA LISTS MILEAGE ESTIMATES FOR 2000 MODEL-YEAR VEHICLES IN 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF MPG GUIDE
Release Date: 10/01/99
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1999
EPA LISTS MILEAGE ESTIMATES FOR 2000 MODEL-YEAR VEHICLES IN
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF MPG GUIDE
25TH ANNIVERSARY OF MPG GUIDE
EPA today announced the 25th annual Miles Per Gallon rankings. The fuel economy estimates for the 2000 model-year vehicles rank the Honda Insight as the most fuel efficient car at 61 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and 70 mpg on the highway. The Ferrari 550 Maranello has the lowest fuel economy rating of all vehicles with a city rating at eight mpg and 13 mpg highway.
The advanced hybrid technology used for the new Honda Insight combines a gasoline engine with a small, self-charging electric motor/generator. In addition to achieving high fuel economy, the new technology also enables the Insight to meet the Agency’s stringent low- emission standards.
Other fuel efficient vehicles in various classes include the Mazda 626, a mid-size sedan; the Chevrolet Tracker and Suzuki Vitara sport utility vehicles; the Chevrolet S10, GMC Sonoma and Isuzu Hombre small pickup trucks; the Ford Ranger and Mazda 2500 standard pickup trucks; and the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans. Miles-per-gallon for these vehicles vary from 26 city/32 highway to 20 city/26 highway.
“This marks the 25th anniversary of EPA’s reports on fuel economy,” said EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner. “Choosing the most fuel-efficient vehicle within a class can save drivers at least $1500 in fuel costs and avoid more than 15 tons of greenhouse gas pollution over the life of the vehicle as well as help reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil.”
In a joint effort between EPA and the Department of Energy, the federal government is for the first time this year making the fuel economy information available on an easy-to-use web site. The address is: http://www.fueleconomy.gov. The site allows users to compare side-by-side fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions and estimated annual fuel costs. The user can also choose to list vehicles by manufacturer or by class and from highest to lowest fuel economy. The site also lists fuel economy leaders for the various classes of vehicles. The web site explains how the fuel economy estimates are obtained, how drivers can improve their fuel economy and why fuel economy is important as well as providing numerous links to other automotive and environmental sites. Also, for the first time, printed copies of the guide will be available for reference in every public library in the country, in addition to all automobile dealerships.
To save gas, reduce emissions and improve mileage, vehicle owners should have their vehicles serviced regularly, accelerate gradually, avoid engine idling and carrying unneeded items in the trunk, use air conditioning sparingly, keep tires fully inflated and aligned and use overdrive.
The miles-per-gallon ratings appear on window stickers for all new cars and light trucks prior to sale. Information regarding the gas guzzler tax is also included on the sticker for certain vehicles.
The fuel economy estimates are generated in conjunction with EPA's vehicle-emission-testing program. Pre-production vehicles are tested under controlled laboratory conditions for both emissions and fuel economy.
(Lists of the highest and lowest mpg ratings by class are attached.)
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