EPA Initiates Effort to Update Fuel Economy Labeling Procedures

As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) commitment to ensuring consumers are given accurate fuel economy values, the agency is revising its fuel economy estimates for the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid and plans to update its fuel economy labeling regulations. This is to ensure the requirements keep pace with industry trends and innovations in advanced high-efficiency vehicles, according to the agency. Ford stated is voluntarily re-labeling the vehicles with these new values.

The EPA stated it plans to work with consumer advocates, auto manufacturers, and environmental organizations to propose revised fuel economy labeling regulations to ensure consumers receive accurate fuel economy information.

Ford based the 2013 Ford C-MAX label on testing of the related Ford Fusion hybrid, which has the same engine, transmission and test weight, which is allowed under EPA regulations. For the vast majority of vehicles, this approach would have yielded a more accurate label value for the car, but these new vehicles are more sensitive to small design differences than conventional vehicles because advanced highly efficient vehicles use so little fuel, the EPA said.

The EPA tested the C-MAX after receiving consumer complaints that the vehicle did not achieve the label values of 47 miles per gallon (mpg) for highway, city, and combined driving. The new fuel economy estimates for Ford 2013 C-MAX are 43 mpg combined, 45 mpg city, and 40 mpg highway, according to the EPA, and as shown on Ford's website.