WASHINGTON (Nov. 22, 2005) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating its vehicle fuel economy testing rules to better reflect current real-world driving conditions.
This marks the first revision of fuel economy testing since 1985, the EPA said. Among other things, current tests assume that a 55-mph national speed limit is still in effect, and bases its findings on the idea that drivers will average 21 mph in the city and 48 mph on the highway with a top speed of 60 mph, according to the agency.
The new testing rules will take into account the fact that many states now allow a 70-mph upper speed limit. The new rules also will reflect longer idling times in traffic, faster acceleration and more abrupt braking, the agency said.