Question

Upgraded fuel economy stnadards released in 2010 call for a 34.1 mile-per-gallon a verage for new cars adn light trucks in 2016. A politician opposing this increase claims it will save "only a drop in the bucket" compared with the 2010 fleet average of about 23 MPG. Formulate a counterargument showing the increase- once the entire fleet reaches 34.1 MPG- could signifigantly reduce the US gasoline consumption rate from its 2010 value of about 380 million gallons per day. State any additional assumptions you make.

Answer 1

Hello,

As per the information provided, earlier average mileage was 23 MPG while the upgraded standard mandated a mileage of 34.1 MPG. It is also mentioned that average consumption of gasoline earlier was 380 million gallons/day.

Therefore the total miles travelled by all vehicles in a day=23 miles/gallon * 380*10⁶ gallons

==> 8740 * 10⁶ miles

Let us assume the gas consumption after the entire fleet reaches 34.1 MPG is 'y' million gallons/day.

As total miles are 8740 * 10⁶ assumed constant before and after the upgradation of fuel economy standards, it is equated to total miles given after upgradation,

34.1 miles/gallon * y*10⁶ gallons = 8740*10⁶

==> y=256.3 million gallons per day.

Therefore % decrease in consumption is (1-256.3/380) ==> 32.5% which is significant!