August 1, 2009
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmData Points: Gallons per Mile
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The Obama administration in May announced that the mileage of cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. must rise from the current 25 miles per gallon to 35.5 mpg by 2016. That’s a 40 percent improvement. But perhaps a more meaningful measure of fuel efficiency is fuel consumption per distance traveled. People who drive an average vehicle for 100 miles a week will see their weekly gas usage drop from four gallons to 2.8 gallons frut—a 30 percent reduction in both expenses and carbon dioxide emissions. And though significant, the efficiency gains will not be enough to bring the U.S. in line with what vehicles sold in Japan and Europe already consume now.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
