298 Fuel-Efficient Models
As gas prices continue to rise, automakers are giving consumers more and more fuel-efficient choices. In the federal government's 2012 Fuel Economy Guide, (www.fueleconomy.gov) 298 models are listed that achieve high mileage – 30 MPG or more (highway). Typically, the lead time required for R&D on new technologies ranges from 5-10 years, so the innovations being developed by auto engineers earlier this decade are now on sale or coming to market.
Automakers Increased High Mileage Vehicle Choice by More Than 330% in 6 Years
In just six years, the number of 30+ MPG models increased by more than 330%, from 69 on sale in 2006 to 298 models today.
Today, consumers can choose from diverse technologies to improve their fuel economy, including 40 hybrids, 33 clean diesel, 4 electric vehicles and more, according to www.fueleconomy.gov.
2011 Hybrid Sales Remain Level
Hybrid car purchases accounted for 2.1% of sales in 2011, down from the 2.4% market share in the previous year. The number of hybrid vehicles sold included 240,000 cars and 30,000 light trucks.
Growing Clean Diesel Sales Are Predicted
U.S. clean diesel sales of passenger vehicles increased from 79,761 in 2010 to 101,624 in 2011. The Diesel Technology Forum forecasts that diesel sales in the U.S. will reach 7.4% of total vehicle sales by 2017.