Is the EPA About to Revise Their Computations? - GreenHybrid

Delta Flyer · #1 (**permalink**) 07-12-2005, 03:21 PM

On a recent thread, someone suggested that the EPA might make their computations more realistic. I'd expect that to be highly political, seeing how hard it if to raise the CAFE standards. Anyone have links on this?

lars-ss · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2005, 03:34 PM

Oh yeah, I'll get ya some links !!!

Quote:

EPA itself is mulling changes. It is considering how to account for factors that "will lower fuel economy," including, "air conditioning, aggressive driving (e.g. high speeds and quick accelerations), cold weather, traffic congestion and others."

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...aaa-usat_x.htm

And:

Quote:

"The EPA is trying to address it and we’re happy they’re willing to address it," he said. "We’re keeping the communication lines open with the EPA."

And so far, the EPA seems to be open or at least attentive to what others are saying needs to be fixed.

"In the 20 years since we updated the testing methodology, driving habits have changed. We have higher highway speeds, more congestion and greater use of accessories on new cars than before," acknowledged EPA’s Millett. "All those factors will have to be added or considered."

Still, how -- or when -- those changes can be incorporated into the fuel efficiency tests is something the EPA has to figure out. And more importantly, Millett says any changes will have to be considered very carefully.

"It’s also important to be consistent," he said. "We need to make sure that all makes and models are compared on an equal basis."

http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=29828

And:

Quote:

"As a result, the EPA is studying whether to adjust its test procedures for hybrids, perhaps making them run a different cycle that includes air conditioning or altering the amount of city driving factored into the combined test.

But the EPA's Harrison doubts such a change in the test matrix will be made specifically for hybrids.

He says that other high-mileage internal combustion vehicles show different mileage patterns as well in the real world because they are tuned for a specific range of operating conditions.

Once the vehicle goes outside those conditions, Harrison says, the mileage "drops like a stone."

http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=77&did=854

Jason · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2005, 04:45 PM

A separate test for hybrids will not sit well with me. It's science 101 that things cannot be compared unless the experiment is identical across all variables.

Schwa · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2005, 07:14 PM

I think the only reason there's so much concern over hybrid being below the EPA tests is because it's obvious to hybrid drivers with the FE indicator, whereas with most other vehicles people are blissfully unaware of how bad their fuel economy really is.

But I agree, any changes in testing procedure should absolutely happen across the board, no doubt.

Delta Flyer · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2005, 07:52 PM

Years ago, Consumer Reports observed the EPA figures were unrealistic, but noted it accurately compared one vehicle against the other.

The H2 should not be exempt from an EPA rating.