Why hasn't gas mileage changed in 20 years? Cars of the same make and model are getting close to the same MPG.

Answer 1

There's far more to it than meets the eye and most of it is because of our own doing. The technology and availablity for higher mpg is there but we've ignored it. See the folllowing details which highlight some of the difficulties, it is not the oil companies, it's us, we just don't want to face up to it.

More people are buying Trucks and SUVs. If you look at the list of the best selling vehicles in 2004, it would look a little something like this:

Ford F-Series (truck)
Chevy Silverado (truck)
Dodge Ram (truck)
Toyota Camry (sedan)
Honda Accord (sedan)
Ford Explorer (SUV)
Since four out of the top six selling vehicles were vehicles that tend to get pretty poor gas mileage, that can’t really help the weighted average gas mileage too much.

For the better part of 25 years, the United States has benefited from inexpensive gasoline. Until recently, there really hasn’t been much of a need or urgency to create cars that were more fuel efficient because it wasn’t expensive to fill up. We could be wasteful with gas and still not be wasteful with money.

Let’s be honest here: for as much as people say they want fuel efficient vehicles to help save the environment, the real motivation is lately it has become expensive to fill up and it would be cheaper if people had cars that got better gas mileage. Money is the only real motivation for most people.

People are sitting in traffic for longer periods of time. When you don’t move, your gas mileage drops to zero! In a recent study, the average American’s commute has increased nearly 12% from 1990 to 2000, and over 20% from 1980 to 2000. That amount of idling will completely ruin any car’s gas mileage (with the exception of hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight).

So, it looks like for as much of a big deal as we (America) made regarding this summer’s dramatic rise in gas prices, we are, for lack of a better phrase, reaping what we’ve sown.

For years we’ve bought vehicles that were inefficient with gas, we didn’t care because gas wasn’t that expensive and even if we did have fuel efficient vehicles, we would have wasted it with our driving habits.

Answer 2

I do not understand your reasoning, I haven't driven a vehicle that got that poor a mileage since the late 70's or early 80's . You must be stuck on buying outdated american technology. My 1991 (over 15 years old) Honda CRX has been consistently getting 55 mpg plus, you can't get under 48 mpg in it. It has never broken down, has 348,000 miles on the odometer, and still does not use oil. Maybe the reason there are so many inefficient vehicles on the market is because there are so many ignorant and incompetent consumers who make poor choices in the way they spend money. P.S. you can buy a car tomorow that gets 70 mpg and has more head and leg room than a full sized Ford Crown Vic. Get to you Honda or Toyota dealer. The americans will never be able to compete with the asian technology because we are not as smart a race as they are., and thats just the way it is.

Answer 3

I don't think it matters exactly where the money comes from it will cost a lot more money than what it does right now. If those costs are passed on to the consumer then we all will pay for it that way if legislation is passed to accelerate taxes to cover it then (those without clever accountants will likely have to pay) the public pays. IF the cost spiral CAN BE CONTROLLED as is hoped by Obama then the well-being as well as the profitability of American business will increase. The MAJOR BENEFIT of universal health care is the humanity afforded by getting help to those in need. Reluctance and scoffing at its proposed benefit is a result of the MASSIVE ABUSE perpetrated by unscrupulous operators who have been defrauding the Medicare & other systems. The EU system of value added tax is a validation of the premise of all participants paying a share for the common good---it sounds really great but my friend in Germany who has corollary financial difficulties has no medical insurance and is tax broke anyway!! Germany is still paying for the absorption of Deutsche Demokratische Republic so may not be a fair parallel even though our system is overburdened with welfare for poor people and for Wall Street. Since our government is now in the business of bailing out failed enterprises once they reach a certain size what is the definition of profit any way ??

Answer 4

Well the emmissions standards have hurt gas mileage. Smog pump, converter. Also putting ethanol has decreased our gas mileage 2.8% to 5% with 10% ethanol. With that I still disagree with you 100%. Our cars we drive today are bigger and heavier than 20 years ago. Just look and the Excursion, Expedition and many other large SUV now. Pickups, suburbans for example get much better gas mileage than 20 years ago. Suburban is rated at 21mpg. 400 horsepower corvette is rated at 28mpg. Chevrolet 9 out 10 cars get over 30mpg only one that doesn't is the corvettte at 28. Even with 10% ethanol decreasing our mileage around 5%, vehicles are much better.

Also today interstate speed is 70-75mph instead of 55mph 20 years ago. Should adjust for that.

Answer 5

It actually has. You just haven't been reading. Modern sedans today average about 22 miles to the gallon, my Altima gets nearly 30 and more on the open highway. Nissan has just released a hybrid version of the Altima that will get more. Toyota's old models from 20 years ago like the Corrolla continue to get better and better gas mileage each year.

Ultimately, it depends on what you want to drive and the auto market is diverse enough to offer you choices that cater to your tastes and needs.

Answer 6

The internal combustion engine is inherently inefficient. All of the heat that radiates from the engine block represents wasted energy.

We've been polishing this turd for a hundred years, and although it has become a slightly prettier turd, a turd it remains.

A whole new technology/design is needed. My vote is for electric engines with fewer moving parts, powered by nuclear-generated power.

Sorry for the visuals :)

Answer 7

There is a conspiracy between the car makers and the oil companies. Get a motorcycle - I get 70 mpg.

Answer 8

Why do people commute using huge SUVs that get 12 MPG.

Answer 9

They HAVE over in Europe so the little waaaaa that the car makers whine about is because they have shares in the oil companies...

Did you know that there is a diesel minivan over in Europe which makes 50 MPG!! It is called the Ford Galaxy...no, they don't sell it here in the USA because there isn't a "market" for it...which is BS!

Oh, and for your information, the emissions are BETTER than here in the USA!

Answer 10

Because we haven't demanded that it change until recently when our pocket books felt it. Now the cool thing is to go green and get a hybred car. I like the prius but am holding out for a hybred mini-van, who will be the first to come out with one of those?? I guess is Toyota.