WASHINGTON, DC, October 15, 2009 (ENS) – The Toyota Prius hybrid leads the 2010 model cars in fuel efficiency with 51 miles per gallon on the highway and 48 mpg in city driving conditions, according to the latest federal government ratings for fuel efficiency.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy today unveiled the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, which gives consumers information about estimated fuel costs and mileage standards for model year 2010 vehicles.
The Prius is a full 10 mpg ahead of the two models that share second place – Ford Fusion Hybrid FWD and the Mercury Milan Hybrid FWD, which both get 41 mpg on the highway and 36 mpg in the city.
“Every year, consumers use the Fuel Economy Guide to find clean, efficient, cost-effective vehicles that meet their needs and their budgets,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “It’s an easy, accessible resource for everyone, and helps us cut harmful pollution from the air, and save money for American drivers.”
The most fuel efficient type of car is the two seater such as the Smart fortwo Cabriolet and the Mazda MX-5. The next most efficient type is the Minicompact Car such as the Mini Cooper manual. The least efficient is the traditional passenger van.
“Fuel economy is about both saving energy and saving money,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “Buying fuel efficient vehicles – like the many hybrid technologies featured in this year’s Fuel Economy Guide – helps limit carbon pollution, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and reduce driving costs for American families.”
Fuel-efficient models come in all types and sizes, so consumers can save thousands of dollars over a vehicle’s lifetime without sacrificing performance, say Jackson and Chu.
Model year 2010 fuel economy leaders include a wide range of hybrid models, from compact cars to sport-utility vehicles.
The most wasteful of fuel are the so-called luxury cars – the Lamborghini Murcielago with 11 mpg on the highway and eight mpg in the city, and the Bugatti, Bentley, and the Ferrari, which all do just a little better.
Each vehicle listing in the Fuel Economy Guide provides an estimated annual fuel cost. The estimate is calculated based on the vehicle’s miles per gallon (mpg) rating and national estimates for annual mileage and fuel prices.
The online version of the guide allows consumers to input their local gasoline prices and typical driving habits to receive a personalized fuel cost estimate.
Fuel efficiency is important for reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. One of the most important things consumers can do to reduce their contribution to climate change is to buy a vehicle with better fuel economy, said Chu and Jackson.
The Fuel Economy Guide continues to be available to mobile users (fueleconomy.gov/m), and is readily accessible from a mobile device, smart phone, or personal digital assistant.
Find out more an the joint DOE/EPA Fuel Economy website for detailed information on fuel economy, including a complete version of the Fuel Economy Guide: http://www.fueleconomy.gov The 2010 fuel economy leaders within each class as well as the lowest fuel economy models: http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/basicinformation.htm
Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2009. All rights reserved.