A University of Michigan study is showing how far a little regulation can go. The study shows that in the last four years, the fuel economy of new vehicles has increased 14%. In 2007 Congress, for the first time in ages, raised the Corporate Average Fuel Economy, which is set at 34.1 miles per gallon by 2016 and a new proposal is trying to raise it to 54.5 mpg by 2025. The study showed that the average light-duty vehicle got 21.5 mpg versus 18.9 in 2008; for vehicles that are actually purchased the number is 22.5 mpg. The study shows how consumers are focusing on vehicles with better mileage. Come check out the 38-mph highway, Nissan Versa at your 2012 Tacoma Nissan Versa dealer. The biggest jump in the study comes from diesel vehicles which jumped 9.8 mpg, because more passenger diesel vehicles are being offered. Surprisingly, hybrids saw their numbers drop 3 mpg, which is caused by the number of SUV hybrids. Light trucks (pickups, minivans, vans and SUVs) increased 1.6 mpg.
