Ford Motor Company wants the EPA to reconsider fuel economy testing procedures after Consumer Reports suggested that the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and C-Max Hybrid failed to achieve their 47 mpg rating.
''We will continue to talk on behalf of the industry with the EPA to determine if changes are necessary,'' said Joe Hinrichs, chief of operations in North and South America. ''The EPA has made changes over the last couple of decades as technology has changed.''
Both Ford and the EPA agree that hybrids are more sensitive to driving styles and road conditions, which can drop their fuel efficiency by as much as 17 miles per gallon, according to Raj Nair, product development chief at Ford. In fact, he also said that his performance fell by 12 mpg when he drove the C-Max Hybrid the same way he drives his Mustang Shelby Cobra.
The EPA may decide not to modify current testing procedures, but it could update the ratings with a fuel economy range.
Source: Automotive News
''We will continue to talk on behalf of the industry with the EPA to determine if changes are necessary,'' said Joe Hinrichs, chief of operations in North and South America. ''The EPA has made changes over the last couple of decades as technology has changed.''
Both Ford and the EPA agree that hybrids are more sensitive to driving styles and road conditions, which can drop their fuel efficiency by as much as 17 miles per gallon, according to Raj Nair, product development chief at Ford. In fact, he also said that his performance fell by 12 mpg when he drove the C-Max Hybrid the same way he drives his Mustang Shelby Cobra.
The EPA may decide not to modify current testing procedures, but it could update the ratings with a fuel economy range.
Source: Automotive News