[bwilson4web]

Hi,

I'm a big fan of the EPA web site, www.fueleconomy.gov, but every now and then they make an 'opps'. The following are two frames of the most and least efficient vehicles, one with electrics and one without:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2011bestworstEPAf.htm
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2011b...xcludingEV.htm

What I noticed is the 1st place car in "Midsize Cars" changes:
Leaf vs Prius -- Ok, understood

But 2nd place car in "Midsize Cars" does not:
Hyundai Elantra vs Hyundai Elantra - Why not the Prius in the first case?

I have no problem with the electric Leaf being first in one of the two lists but the second car should then be the "Prius" not the "Hyundai Elantra." I know this may seem petty but it looks like the first place in one frame is not allowed to be the second place in the other. The second place car, "Hyundai Elantra" gets a free ride in both frames.

Ok, am I being 'petty', perhaps, but when I first came across this problem last week, I knew something was wrong but couldn't quite put my finger on it. So this evening I went back and finally figured out the problem. BTW, there is a second problem with the two pages but someone whose postings have as many faults as mine doesn't "cast stones" except to tease. <grins>

Bob Wilson

[bwilson4web]

Hi,

I got a reply from the folks at www.fueleconomy.gov and felt the best thing is to share it with the community:

EPA said:

Thank you!

I knew about the City listing in the order but don't remember seeing
anything about automatic vs. manual transmission. Now it makes more
sense. <grins>

I do like your commitment to quality improvement and it sounds like
the next model year version will make more sense.

Bob Wilson
Huntsville, AL
- Hide quoted text -

On 6/22/11, FuelEconomy <fueleconomy@ornl.gov> wrote:
> Dear Mr. Wilson,
>
> Thank you for contacting us. This list is ranked by City mpg and shows the
> best automatic transmission vehicle and best manual transmission vehicle in
> each category. The Hyundai Elantra is the most efficient manual transmission
> vehicle in the midsize class. This is admittedly confusing and we will soon
> be launching a redesigned version of this list. It is my understanding that
> we will be dropping the transmission distinction by next year simply listing
> the best in each category regardless of the transmission type.
>
> When we initially came up with this list, it was typical for the vehicle
> with the top fuel economy to have a manual transmission. It was pointed out
> that most people don't want a manual transmission and that it should show
> the top automatic as well. Since then automatic transmissions have improved
> and evolved with continuously variable transmissions, automated dry double
> clutch transmissions, optional manual shift paddles on automatic
> transmissions, etc. Now our current method for ranking vehicles is
> increasingly out of phase with the market. Hopefully we will be able to
> improve on this list soon. Also we hope to begin ranking them by the
> combined MPG rather than by City - maybe for the 2012 model year. I hope
> this explanation is helpful.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> www.fueleconomy.gov
>

It is dang hard to get everything right the first time ... some may see this web site as "GreenHybrid.com" Version 2.0. So life goes on as as we muddle from one experience after another. Then about the time we get it right ... life comes to an end. <wink>

Bob Wilson