Gas Mileage for Cars Sold in America Peaked in 1987
November 9th, 2006 | by Brian Carr |Considering all of the technological advances over the past 20 years, one would probably think that the average gas mileage for new cars sold in America would have been steadily increasing over the past two decades.
Unfortunately, that assumption is incorrect.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the average gas mileage for cars sold in the United States during 1980 was 23.1 mpg, while the average gas mileage for cars sold in the U.S. during 2004 was 24.7 mph - a whopping increase of less than 7%.
In the NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) report, it states that the peak gas mileage for cars sold in America was 26.2 mph and was achieved in 1987. After peaking during the end of the Ronald Reagan administration, the average gas mileage fluctuated between 24.5 and 25.6 mpg. Not exactly advancing with technology.
In looking at the CAFE report, it’s pretty obvious that the main culprit responsible for bringing down the average gas mileage is the increasing number of trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) sold in the United States between 1980 and 2004.
That being said, it’s still disappointing to see that with all of the advances in technology and car design over the last quarter century, we have still only been able to increase our nation’s average gas mileage by a little less than 7%.
3 Responses to “Gas Mileage for Cars Sold in America Peaked in 1987”
By CHolman on Feb 1, 2008 | Reply
It’s sad auto manufactuers have not made a significant advancement in fuel economy in over 30years in the USA. We have again left ourselves ever dependent on foreign energy sources we have no control of. With all the great technological advances we have acheived , and none in the auto fuel economy. Maybe Microsoft and Intel should get into the car business. Shame on us for not learning a lesson from previous oil shortages.
By James T. Campbell on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
I have a 2003 ford v6 edge truck and my gas mileage is just a slightly over 15 mpg. So I was just wondering where you get all these great numbers you come up with here. Darn if I was getting 26 or 28 mpg I would think I was in heaven. If you know a way to get my mileage up to the standard you speak of please tell me. By the way I only have 34000 miles on this vihicycle so it is not worn out and I change the oil and the filter every 3000 miles.
By Rodney beasley on Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
V W Polo get’s 70 mpg. seems like a no brainer to me. America wake up!