Nearly 47% of new cars sold in the UK now emith less than 130g/km of CO2, which equates to an average fuel economy rating of 46 MPG US (54 mpg UK). BBC News - Sales of low emission cars soar in UK But only 1.3% of all new vehicles sold in 2011 were hybrids or EV's. The reduction in emissions (or increase in fuel economy) is down 23% since 12 years ago in 2000. So it can be done. I don't notice people driving slower and no not all cars are diesels either. It's just the economy rules imposed have meant that manufacturers focus their attentions to fuel economy. A saving of 1% here or 2% there has obvioulsy added up over the years.
the masses drive fuel efficient vehicles and the wealth range rovers. in the u.s.m you drive whatever you want.
Erm doesn't that apply everywhere? And if that's the case, why do I see news articles over here about your average American queuing up at the gas station in his Camry complaining about the price of gas? If he can't afford to run a Camry, he certainly can't afford a Range Rover. Oh and the Range Rovers here are more likely the clean(er) diesel versions (even the rich don't like to waste money) that get about 1/3 more to the gallon. What I was trying to say is that people can still get around, still speed on the motorway, still pull trailers, still tow horses, yet for an average fuel economy double that of America.
Your basic point is spot on, but I'm confused which data is correct: Half of new cars have CO2 emissions less than 130 gr/km, or the fleet average is less than 130 gr/km ?
There's lots of technologies that can be fairly simple to adopt and return small but useful savings. High-pressure diesel direct injection has lead to direct injection petrol engines, start-stop technology is now available in many cars including diesels (Mazda SkyActive) , regenerative braking to the 12 volt battery (VW Passat), transmissions that disengage to allow gliding (Audi DSG). Even something like radar cruise control can help. All of these simple things add up. When faced with a challenge like emissions or fuel economy or congestion laws, European and Japanese manufacturers don't spend all of their time and money on lobbyists... they spend some of it on developing compliant solutions and gaining a competitive advantage.
It's in the article somewhere. Braddles, you're right. The sad thing is, it's the same manufactuers who will invest in fuel economy in Japan and Europe yet spend money on lobbyists and lawsuits in America. Toyota being one of them!?! Saying that, I believe Ford USA are now actually using a lot of the fuel efficiency measured used for years in Europe for years. You can still get the same power outputs with smaller, better managed engines.
Most Americans are satisfied with 30 mpg, and when that threshold is reached they prioritize other aspects of the car like size and power. You can see this in many ways, not the least in ConsumerReports. They label 30 mpg as 'very good' or 'excellent.' As the price of fuel rises, so does the fuel economy the consumer demands.
