Gas guzzlers are on the road to extinction
As recently as 2008, half of the cars bought in America were considered 'gas-guzzlers,' with fuel economy of less than 20 mpg. Today, gas-guzzlers account for about a quarter of new car sales.
A customer fills up at a gas pump on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 in Montpelier, Vt.
Toby Talbot/AP/File
Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle explain that as recently as 2008, half the cars bought in America boasted fuel economy of less than 20 mpg -- the common definition of a "gas-guzzler". Today, guzzlers account for just 26 percent of new car sales. That's a steep drop in just seven years, and the percentage is likely to plummet far further over the next decade.
Why the change? There are at least four reasons:
Federal regulations:听听require all automakers doing business in America to meet a fleet-wide average fuel economy of 54.5 mpg by the year 2025. To hit that benchmark, automakers are phasing out gas-guzzlers and replacing them with more fuel-efficient rides. 听听
The high price of fuel:听The past few months, U.S. drivers have听, but the drop has been something of an anomaly. Prices at the pump are now climbing back toward "normal" territory, and depending on oil prices, drivers in some parts of the country could be paying nearly $4 a gallon before听听gas arrives this spring. The high prices we've seen in recent years have been largely responsible for making fuel economy听听among听.听
Hybrid and other technology:听New technology is always pricey, and fuel-efficient tech is no exception. When hybrid听听debuted in the U.S. around the turn of the 21st century, they cost a pretty penny more than their gas-powered siblings.
Now, however, the hybrid price gap has narrowed, and many expect that electric cars (both standard and extended-range) will see a similar price drop soon -- especially if battery development projects like听听pan out. That's helping to draw more consumers to fuel-efficient rides. By 2017s, it's predicted that听, from hybrid powertrains to turbochargers. 听
Eco-friendly philosophy:听Though it's hard to quantify, surveys have shown that increasing numbers of consumers are concerned about the environment. That sentiment is especially听. Fuel-efficient cars are very attractive to eco-friendly shoppers, who want their purchases to align with their ethics.听
To be sure, gas-guzzlers won't completely disappear -- at least not anytime soon. For example, heavy-duty听听aren't held to the same EPA standards as cars (a bone of contention with听), so automakers can continue making them for their commercial customers. Also, smaller luxury brands will probably find it easier to pay a federal penalty than make their听听comply with the new guidelines. But for better or worse, most folks on the road will enjoy more fuel-efficient vehicles in the years to come.
What we want to know is: when will 50 mpg be considered a gas-guzzler?