Car Manufaturers Ahead Of Schedule For Meeting Fuel Mileage Mandates

With the federal government placing stricter standards on fuel economy, many wondered if automakers would be able to find ways to improve their mileage even further. But a recent survey by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) found that not only are manufacturers meeting these new government standards, they're already ahead of schedule in many cases. 

The survey found that a whopping 56 percent of the new models currently on showroom floors, either meet or exceed the current federal standard. The study also found that a number of these cars also came close to beating the seemingly insurmountable 54.5 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) mark that the feds have set for 2025.

The CFA examined 1,094 models and found that only four percent of those got less than 16 mpg. This number was 6 percent last year and a staggering 32 percent in 2008. So even if there are still a few models that don't quite make the cut, the number of cars that need to improve is falling drastically. The CFA also found that 13 percent of new models get at least 30 mpg. They say that number was just under 12 percent a year ago, and only one percent met that criteria in 2008.

Models like the latest Chevy Malibu, Chevy Cruze, and Toyota Rav4 currently meet the CAFÉ standards set for the next ten years. Even trucks like Ford's F-150 would also meet the CAFÉ standards set for 2021 in their current state.

The survey also mentioned the role that battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) have played in improving fuel economy. New models like the Chevrolet Bolt, and Tesla Model 3 are all projected to get closer than ever to the 54.5 mpg target, but their prices start at around $30,000.

Gas prices are bound to go up again, and the CFA states that as battery technology becomes more common, costs will drop. So consumers could afford to pay a little more at the dealership because of the money they would save at the pump.