As it turns out, the EPA decided to release the fuel economy report.
EPA News Release:
EPA is releasing its annual report, "Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2005." The report provides data on the fuel economy and performance characteristics of light-duty vehicles (cars, vans, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), and pickup trucks) for model years 1975 through 2005. Since 1997 fuel economy has been relatively constant, ranging from 20.6 to 21.0 miles per gallon (mpg).
Model year 2005 vehicles are estimated to average 21.0 mpg. This is 0.2 mpg higher than 2004, but five percent below the fleet-average fuel economy peak value of 22.1 mpg achieved in 1987. This increase is due in large part to the increase in fuel economy standards for light trucks and SUVs implemented in 2005, offset in part by the increasing popularity of less fuel-efficient light trucks, particularly SUVs. This year, cars and light trucks are each projected to account for 50 percent of vehicle sales. While fuel economy levels have been relatively constant, vehicle performance (e.g. acceleration) and weight have nonetheless increased. Recent technology developments, such as hybrid-electric vehicles, clean diesel technology and variable displacement engines hold promise for the near-term future. The new report can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fetrends.htm
