Fuel Efficiency in the US

CelloMomOnCars said:

Chris,

It appears the "diesel" numbers are more appropriate for EU passenger cars, despite what it says on the header.  In Europe, the price of diesel is close to €1.50/liter,  or about $6/gal, this year, but has been higher in the past.  The average fuel efficiency of 47.9mpg is definitely more European than American.  For instance, that VW Polo featured on the poster, the sweet 1.2L Bluemotion, does a real-life 57mpg;  the best VW sells here does 40mpg:  it is the Golf 2.0L TDI.  So far, they have reserved for non-US markets the 1.6L TDI which does 50mpg.  If anybody knows of a diesel engine, available in the US today, that beats the 47.9mpg "average", please let me know about it.

Hey, at least they got it spot-on about the "zero" emissions being only at the tailpipe;  how is it possible that the EPA, which is otherwise so level-headed when it comes to reporting MPG, has allowed the number "0" to appear in the CO2 box on the window stickers for EVs? (I know, arriving at the number is "complicated":  your juice, which may come from a hydro-electric plant, is not my juice, which may come from the burning of mostly coal.  Still, whatever that number, it should NOT be 0, and the 186g CO2/mi on the poster, which is the US average number, is probably the best one can do).  And why are we consumers allowing this kind of misleading information on something so crucial?