Hey, lead foot! You're throwing away money

I have a 2007 Toyota Yaris and I get more than 36 mpg, almost entirely city driving. I rarely go more than 50 mph, and I avoid jackrabbit starts and stops.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/hey-lead-foot-youre-throwing-away-money-1C8087459

Jan. 24, 2013

Studies show that fuel economy has become the number one concern among American car buyers – but motorists have also been pressing for higher speed limits, which can sharply reduce the mileage a car gets.

While that might seem common sense, a new study clearly quantifies the impact of putting the pedal to the metal. And it finds that there are surprisingly few differences between vehicles, whether brick-like SUVs or sleek, wind-cheating sports cars.

Studies show that fuel economy has become the number one concern among American car buyers – but motorists have also been pressing for higher speed limits, which can sharply reduce the mileage a car gets.

While that might seem common sense, a new study clearly quantifies the impact of putting the pedal to the metal. And it finds that there are surprisingly few differences between vehicles, whether brick-like SUVs or sleek, wind-cheating sports cars.

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While West declined to discuss the political ramifications, the new study could be used by proponents of increased fuel economy – and opponents of higher speed limits. A vehicle that might get 40 miles per gallon at 50 miles an hour would see something closer to just 25 mpg at 80 mph.