Hyundai, Kia Overstating Fuel Economy Claims - EPA Probe

[kchladek]

EPA probe prompts reduction of 2012-13 fuel economy estimates

From The Detroit News.

Millions to be paid out to owners over misleading claims.

[Draigflag]

Biggest problem is the way they are tested, under strict lab conditions, the "highway" test for UK cars does not exceed 42 MPH, when the speed limit is 70, its not wonder the fuel figures are almost impossible to acheive in the real World.

[Ciderbarrel]

The EPA had to change how our cars MPG is calculated back in 2008. They were severly overestimating the MPG of cars by 10+ MPG in some cases. 99% of average Americans could not get close to the estimates.

Only people who followed basic hypermiling techniques could do it.

Some background: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ratings2008.shtml

[Draigflag]

10+ MPG is not that great a difference. Some of the small diesel engines in the UK claim to get 94 to 97 MPG, however realisticly, its closer to 60 or 70 MPG, a difference of 30 to 40 MPG! Insane!

They need to change the tests here too.

[BDC]

Don't think for a second this isn't a get out of jail free for Hyundai... They knew the EPA was investigating and was going to do something about it... The EPA could have thrown a ridiculous fine at them (think Toyota unintended acceleration witch hunt magnitude) and then easily made them pay out double or triple the "compensation" they're giving to their customers as part of this "settlement."

What's sad is that even though Hyundai was the biggest and most intentional offender, the next worse offenders (all of them American) will avoid a wrist slap, nor will there even be a precedent set for penalties since the EPA no longer has to do anything about it.

Just my take.

[Draigflag]

It is a bit harsh considering how cheap fuel is in the states anyway. If it were $20 a gallon like it is in some parts of Africa, then fair enough!

[kchladek]

So Hyundai's web site offered me about $87 dollars for the 22k miles I drove last year. That is their assessment of how much I would have over paid for gas with a -2mpg adjustment? I am going to run my numbers when I get a chance and see what I come up with.

[Ciderbarrel]

10 MPG is a HUGE difference:

30 MPG lifetime average is 3.33 gallons consumed per 100 miles.

40 mpg lifetime average is 2.50 gallons consumed per 100 miles.

Over 15,000 miles a year (the industry standard for American cars):

The 30 MPG car will consume 499.50 gallons over 15,000 miles. (3.33 * 150)

The 40 MPG car will consume 375.00 gallons over 15,000 miles. (2.50 * 150)

If gas is $3.599 a gallon:

The 30 MPG car will have a fuel cost of $1,797.70 a year.

The 40 MPG car will have a fuel cost of $1,349.63 a year.

That is a difference of $448.07 a year. (£280.1486)

If gas is $3.999 a gallon then the difference is $497.87 a year. (£311.2853)

Your fuel costs more and your gallons are bigger. If I were you, I'd be happy that you have £1,000+ to throw away in fuel costs a year because "10+ MPG is not that great a difference"

[Draigflag]

So what about the cars here that claim to get 97 MPG, but in reality, probably only get 60 MPG? As you're so keen on maths, could you work out the differnce of almost 40 MPG with fuel at $8 a gallon?

[Ciderbarrel]

Math is singular, not plural. You're welcome.