MPG vs. GPM: Which is the Mighty Contender?
There’s been quite a strong debate this summer over our traditional fuel efficiency measurement, MPG. It’s been our trusted friend when we are shopping for a new car. A higher MPG means higher fuel efficiency and less carbon emissions…right?
Before I answer “wrong” I want to share some figures with you; below is the fuel efficiency measurement used everywhere in the world, (except the U.S.) and is a great demonstration of MPG’s mighty counterpart, GPM:
15 mpg = 660 gallons per 10,000 miles
20 mpg = 500 gallons per 10,000 miles
30 mpg = 330 gallons per 10,000 miles
45 mpg = 220 gallons per 10,000 miles
60 mpg = 160 gallons per 10,000 miles
Okay – looking at this scale, you would think that the most fuel-efficient car here is still the 60 mpg car. Wow…great gas mileage! But increasing the mileage of a 15 mpg car to 20 mpg, saves as much gasoline (and carbon) as doubling the mileage of a 30 mpg car to 60 mpg.
I know you are thinking that this is great information, but is it useful given that in the U.S. gallons per mile is not readily available? It doesn’t have to be – the calculation is simple: just divide the distance traveled (10,000 miles) by MPG.
Using “gallons per 10,000 mile” system is a far more accurate way of measuring fuel-efficiency and it so much better for the consumer. But we can’t make the mistake of overlooking true value of this unit of measure – GPM is the most accurate calculation of how many gallons of gas we are burning and the amount of carbons we emit into our fragile atmosphere.
Choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle is only half the battle in the war for a sustainable environment; the other half - becoming more conscious about carbon emissions and encouraging research on the effect that specific vehicles have on the environment. Discussions about protecting our environment and natural resources always come full circle to education and research. When it comes to protecting our environment and the world that we live in, ignorance is definitely not bliss!
Before I answer “wrong” I want to share some figures with you; below is the fuel efficiency measurement used everywhere in the world, (except the U.S.) and is a great demonstration of MPG’s mighty counterpart, GPM:
15 mpg = 660 gallons per 10,000 miles
20 mpg = 500 gallons per 10,000 miles
30 mpg = 330 gallons per 10,000 miles
45 mpg = 220 gallons per 10,000 miles
60 mpg = 160 gallons per 10,000 miles
Okay – looking at this scale, you would think that the most fuel-efficient car here is still the 60 mpg car. Wow…great gas mileage! But increasing the mileage of a 15 mpg car to 20 mpg, saves as much gasoline (and carbon) as doubling the mileage of a 30 mpg car to 60 mpg.
I know you are thinking that this is great information, but is it useful given that in the U.S. gallons per mile is not readily available? It doesn’t have to be – the calculation is simple: just divide the distance traveled (10,000 miles) by MPG.
Using “gallons per 10,000 mile” system is a far more accurate way of measuring fuel-efficiency and it so much better for the consumer. But we can’t make the mistake of overlooking true value of this unit of measure – GPM is the most accurate calculation of how many gallons of gas we are burning and the amount of carbons we emit into our fragile atmosphere.
Choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle is only half the battle in the war for a sustainable environment; the other half - becoming more conscious about carbon emissions and encouraging research on the effect that specific vehicles have on the environment. Discussions about protecting our environment and natural resources always come full circle to education and research. When it comes to protecting our environment and the world that we live in, ignorance is definitely not bliss!
posted by Paradise Earth Project at
9:00 AM
1 Comments:
For more information on the research behind moving to "gallons per 10,000 miles," see this website:
http://mpgillusion.blogspot.com/
Post a Comment
<< Home