Buyers Continue Purchasing New Vehicles With Lower Fuel Efficiency

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As the sales of trucks and utility vehicles continue to surge, the fuel-economy of new vehicles sold in the U.S. continues to drop, according to a monthly study by the University of Michigan.

In fact, researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found the fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the U.S. as rated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency fell for the second month in a row. The average fuel economy, or window-sticker values, of cars, light trucks, vans, and SUVs purchased in September was 25.2 mpg, down 0.1 mpg from August.

Overall, fuel economy is down 0.6 mpg from the peak reached in August 2014, but up 5.1 mpg from October 2007.

In addition to average fuel economy, a monthly update of the national Eco-Driving Index estimates the average monthly emissions generated by an individual U.S. driver. During July, the EDI remained at 0.82 (the lower the value, the better) for the third straight month. The index currently shows emissions of greenhouse gases per driver of newly purchased vehicles are down 18 percent, overall, since October 2007. EDI reached its best level (0.78) in August 2014.

Meanwhile, gasoline prices remain relatively stable, with AAA reporting the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline holding at $2.29 per gallon this week. The average price is up by fractions of a penny compared to one week ago, but has moved lower for 43 of the past 49 days, providing drivers with a savings of twelve cents per gallon month-over-month, AAA reported. 

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