The new excitement about more fuel-efficient automobiles is a direct response to rising fuel prices and environmental concerns. Anyone traveling a great deal is concerned about reducing fuel expenses, and everyone should be concerned about environmental issues related to fossil-fuel burning.

Everyone shopping for a new automobile looks at the mileage sticker in the window, but few of us are able to understand what it all means. The US EPA admits on their web site that rarely will the posted mileage estimate be accurate for the average consumer.

How are we to understand a mileage estimate when the creators of the estimate admit to the inaccuracy of the estimate? Perhaps by using the word estimate, they relieve themselves of any liability for its accuracy. Not that the US EPA is intentionally trying to fool anyone, the system just not been explained to us very well.

Until recently, fuel economy testing was done with the intent of reporting the maximum average mileage for a given vehicle. To achieve the maximum average mileage, no accessories or air conditioning are used during the test. In addition, professional drivers on specific courses are operating the test vehicle in a manner to achieve the maximum average mileage.

In December 2006, the US EPA issued new test methods that take individual driving habits and other factors into account. The 2008 models in the United States began using a newly-designed window sticker. The new sticker can be viewed at: http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/label.htm.

The revised sticker shows the average mileage expected by most drivers and a range of average mileage depending on driving conditions, driving habits, weather conditions, etc. The new testing methods have taken all of these factors into account to present a more accurate picture of the mileage you can expect. The new window sticker also compares the range of other vehicles in the same class so the consumer can see how well this vehicle compares in mileage estimates.

One very helpful added feature of the new window sticker is the estimated annual fuel consumption box. In this box the annual fuel use is listed based on how many miles driven and the cost per gallon of fuel at the time of the estimate. With this information, the buyer can calculate the average annual fuel costs for this vehicle based on the average driving conditions expected.

Whenever possible, it is best to seek out hybrid or electric vehicles as these are becoming more available, more affordable and the best solution for our fossil-fuel emissions and resource problems.