California Scores at Bottom of Fuel Economy Study
California has been leading the country and the world in environmental regulations. The Californian legislature passed a ground-breaking law to regulate automobile CO2 emission in 2005. However, research data reveals that California ranks at the bottom f
(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 04, 2009 ) Troy, Michigan – A study of actual fuel economy performance was conducted to rank the 50 states in automobile fuel efficiency. Actual fuel economy data was collected from the EPA website (http://www.fueleconomy.gov), where drivers record their gas fill up and keep track of their actual MPG (Miles per Gallon). The records of 4,200 drivers were compiled and analyzed. An MPG ratio was created so that the actual MPG data from different car models can be put on the same footing. MPG ratio is the ratio of actual fuel economy over EPA rating. The MPG ratio measures the driver’s relative fuel efficiency performance vs. EPA rating. It also answers the question: if all drivers are given the same car, how fuel efficient is one driver versus other drivers?
This study ranked the 50 states based on the median of the MPG ratios of drivers residing in each state. Due to the small sample sizes (number of drivers from these states in this study), Alaska, District of Columbia, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming are excluded from the rankings. The top 10 ranked states are colored green on the map and include: New Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Delaware . The bottom 10 states are colored red and include: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Hawaii.
Maine leads the nation in relative fuel efficiency. California ranks near the bottom. The only states performing worse than California are Washington and Hawaii. The other “Green States” do not fare much better. Except Maine (#1) and New Mexico (#3), none makes to the top 10, and the rest (except Rhode Island) ranks in the bottom half. Washington (#42) and New Jersey (#40) rank near the bottom.
“I am shocked by the result of this study,” claims Philip Yu, founder of DigitCar.com (http://www.digitcar.com), a web site that offers drivers the resources to track fuel economy and spending, reduce fuel consumption, and save money. “I had assumed California would rank near the top if not at the top, considering the leadership position California has taken in regulating automobiles. Green States, California included, show no difference from non-green states. Simply put, Green States are not “greener”. I hope that the Green States can turn their legistalative leadership in regulating auto emission into real leadership in actual fuel economy performance,” says Yu.
Another key finding of this study is that variation among the states is wide. Drivers in Maine (#1) are 20% more fuel efficient that those in Hawaii and 18% more than those in Washington. What causes this variation? Certain factors can be excluded. For example, temperature doesn’t seem to determine the ranking. Some of the coldest states and warmest states are in the top 5 ranking or bottom 5 ranking. Other factors definitely impact the ranking but are not quantified in this study, such as traffic condition, driving behavior, and automobile use pattern.
“One important factor is driving behavior,” observes Yu. In a study conducted by Ford Motor Company, average fuel economy improved by 24% after volunteer drivers received four days of coaching on driving techniques (Ford Press Release, August 27, 2008).
About DigitCar.com:
Digitcar.com (http://www.digitcar.com) is a website dedicated to helping drivers save fuel, save money, and reduce their impact on the environment. It helps drivers record gasoline spending and track their actual fuel economy. It gives drivers the tools to follow and evaluate their MPG, and provides both analysis and advice to help drivers reduce gas consumption. It believes in community members helping each other. Combined with expert advice, drivers can put a significant dent in gas consumption.
Contact Information:
Philip Yu
DigitCar.com
1173 Provincial Drive
Troy, MI 48084
248-636-1867
Philip@digitcar.com
http://www.digitcar.com
This study ranked the 50 states based on the median of the MPG ratios of drivers residing in each state. Due to the small sample sizes (number of drivers from these states in this study), Alaska, District of Columbia, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming are excluded from the rankings. The top 10 ranked states are colored green on the map and include: New Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Delaware . The bottom 10 states are colored red and include: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Hawaii.
Maine leads the nation in relative fuel efficiency. California ranks near the bottom. The only states performing worse than California are Washington and Hawaii. The other “Green States” do not fare much better. Except Maine (#1) and New Mexico (#3), none makes to the top 10, and the rest (except Rhode Island) ranks in the bottom half. Washington (#42) and New Jersey (#40) rank near the bottom.
“I am shocked by the result of this study,” claims Philip Yu, founder of DigitCar.com (http://www.digitcar.com), a web site that offers drivers the resources to track fuel economy and spending, reduce fuel consumption, and save money. “I had assumed California would rank near the top if not at the top, considering the leadership position California has taken in regulating automobiles. Green States, California included, show no difference from non-green states. Simply put, Green States are not “greener”. I hope that the Green States can turn their legistalative leadership in regulating auto emission into real leadership in actual fuel economy performance,” says Yu.
Another key finding of this study is that variation among the states is wide. Drivers in Maine (#1) are 20% more fuel efficient that those in Hawaii and 18% more than those in Washington. What causes this variation? Certain factors can be excluded. For example, temperature doesn’t seem to determine the ranking. Some of the coldest states and warmest states are in the top 5 ranking or bottom 5 ranking. Other factors definitely impact the ranking but are not quantified in this study, such as traffic condition, driving behavior, and automobile use pattern.
“One important factor is driving behavior,” observes Yu. In a study conducted by Ford Motor Company, average fuel economy improved by 24% after volunteer drivers received four days of coaching on driving techniques (Ford Press Release, August 27, 2008).
About DigitCar.com:
Digitcar.com (http://www.digitcar.com) is a website dedicated to helping drivers save fuel, save money, and reduce their impact on the environment. It helps drivers record gasoline spending and track their actual fuel economy. It gives drivers the tools to follow and evaluate their MPG, and provides both analysis and advice to help drivers reduce gas consumption. It believes in community members helping each other. Combined with expert advice, drivers can put a significant dent in gas consumption.
Contact Information:
Philip Yu
DigitCar.com
1173 Provincial Drive
Troy, MI 48084
248-636-1867
Philip@digitcar.com
http://www.digitcar.com
Contact Information:
Digitcar.com
Philip Yu
Tel: 248-636-1867
Email us
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.
Digitcar.com
Philip Yu
Tel: 248-636-1867
Email us
This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.
Press Release Keywords:
gas savings, gas mileage, mileage, fuel savings, fuel economy, fuel expense, fuel consumption
gas savings, gas mileage, mileage, fuel savings, fuel economy, fuel expense, fuel consumption
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