Vehicle fuel economy hits record high

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday that the average fuel economy of vehicles in the United States hit a record high in 2012.

Vehicles made in 2012 averaged 23.6 miles per gallon — a 1.2 mpg increase over 2011 and the second largest increase in the past 30 years.

{mosads}“Today’s new vehicles are cleaner and more fuel efficient than ever, saving American families money at the gas pump and helping to keep the air that we breathe cleaner,” said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

“Each year new technologies are coming on line to keep driving these positive trends toward greater and greater efficiency.”

The EPA credited President Obama’s agenda, which aims to cut vehicle greenhouse gas emissions and double fuel economy by 2025.