New Government Gas Mileage Standards Stand to Double Fuel Efficiency

25 Oct 2012

Vehicles with a model year of 2025 and later will be more fuel efficient — thanks to a new fuel efficiency standards regulation finalized late this summer.

This comes as both good and bad news for car owners, as cars purchased with a 2025 model year will have nearly twice the average gas mileage of cars and trucks — when the new fuel efficiency standards are combined with existing ones. And with gas prices being over $4 a gallon in some cities, improved fuel efficiency is definitely a good thing.

On the bad side though, the price per vehicle will likely increase, with some expecting certain vehicle prices to increase by nearly $3K.

As a result of the new regulation, American automakers will be forced to manufacture their 2025 cars with significantly more gas mileage, and may be fined if they refuse. The new rules will be phased in gradually from now until then, and will vary by automaker depending on the mix of vehicle models they sell.

The newest vehicles are expected to slash greenhouse gases by half, which is another step in the right direction for the environment. In addition to the new fuel efficiency standards looking to save consumers more than $1.7 trillion at the gas pump, they are expected to reduce U.S. consumption of oil by upwards of 12 billion barrels.

While light-duty trucks and cars will have to have an average of 54.5 miles per gallon in 13 years, it won’t actually equal double the current rate of 28.6 mpg though. The numbers will be closer to an average of 40 mpg in the real world, experts contend.

Unfortunately, car owners may have shell out approximately $2,800 more for these gas-efficient vehicles. On the flip side, car owners can save about $8,000 in the cost of gas during the life of the vehicle.

President Barack Obama said the new fuel standards “represent the single most important step” in regards to his administration hoping to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil. Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, is opposed to the new fuel standards. His recent campaign stated that the rise in vehicle prices won’t be worth the money saved in gas.

Want to improve your fuel efficiency before we see the likes of these new gas mileage standards in place? Whether for business or personal use, installing a GPS tracking system may be the best way to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle or fleet of vehicles through curtailing unnecessary idling, eliminating speeding, and planning the most fuel-efficient routes.

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About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.