2008 EPA MILEAGE RATINGS get a new look

Who says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is slow to change? After 20 year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is changing the way it calculates fuel economy estimates. We as Joe consumer will see this change the window stickers of new cars and trucks.

One side note on this will be the difficulties consumers will have when comparing a used 2006 to a used 2008 in the years to come. Those that are sensitive to MPG for thier next vehicle will have to have an understanding that the MPG for that 2005 or 2006 vehicle may actualy be less the the 2008. This however will not be known to the average person unless they are made aware of this change in calculation... but even if one does know about the difference, how is one to to compare these apples to pears now?

This "bridging of the gap" will help consumers make a better informed choice when car shopping. It is projected that the MPG will fall two to four miles per gallon under the new system. Suddenly that new Hybrid doesnt look so good compared to an older car does it? But again, how will Joe consumer know this if not informed?

This change however late is very well needed. Over the past 20 some years there have been alot of changes to vehicles and what comes standard. According to Mike Fuher of Ford in response to the question of what has changed says "We have higher highway speed limits today than we did 20 years ago, and most vehicles now come with air conditioning as standard equipment. The new EPA methods now will better account for the impacts of these higher highway speeds and accessory usage."

The changes we are to see on 2008 models are only the beginning. In 2011 another round of changes to help drivers understand the real MPG will be applied to new calculations. So in 2012 when you compare that 2005 model to a 2011 good luck knowing the real math.

Even with all these changes it trully is hard to estimate the MPG of a new vehicle. My driving habits may be different then yours as well as a long list of other factors including, tire pressure, air filter, agressive driving, use of heat/AC, and many more. With this many variables its difficult to really estimate the MPG, but then again they do call it an estimate for a reason dont they?