New MPG Estimates May Cause Confusion for Some Consumers

Washington DC; New 2008 model year vehicles will be the first to use EPA's newly revised MPG estimates and, although it's still early 2007, many of them are already arriving at dealerships.

The new ratings are designed to provide more-realistic MPG estimates by factoring in air conditioning use, colder temperatures, higher speeds, and quicker acceleration. Therefore, new tests will likely lower the MPG estimates for all vehicles.

This is a welcome change for consumers who felt the old estimates were a bit optimistic, but the new ratings will make it difficult for car buyers to compare 2008 vehicles to those from previous model years tested under the old rating system. Www.fueleconomy.gov has developed a tool to help consumers compare the old and new MPG estimates ( MPG Calculator). Consumers can simply select a pre-2008 vehicle and see what its MPG rating would be under the new system. It also shows real-world MPG estimates for many makes and models provided by other drivers.