Best MPG Trucks
The search for high MPG trucks can be difficult for builders, contractors, and industrial workers used to high-power gas guzzlers. The market for high MPG trucks has picked up in recent years, as domestic and foreign automakers seek to capture drivers interested in fuel savings.
Resources For High MPG Trucks
The best resource for information on the best MPGs for new mid size trucks is FuelEconomy.gov (http://www.fueleconomy.gov). This website is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy as a resource for fuel-conscious drivers. FuelEconomy.gov offers EPA fuel mileage figures for light and heavy-duty trucks that can be compared side by side. Consumers looking for reliable information on high MPG trucks should start with FuelEconomy.gov.
The next step in searching for high MPG trucks is to look at individual automaker websites. While FuelEconomy.gov is invaluable for finding MPG information, automakers like Toyota© (http://www.toyota.com) and Ford© (http://www.ford.com) fill in the blanks for consumers. Automaker websites highlight MPG as a selling point, but the main benefit of using these online resources is the wealth of financing information available with a few clicks. The average consumer can “build” a Ford F-150® or a Chevy Silverado® and compare prices between trucks with comparable MPGs.
Every consumer should continue researching high MPG trucks by heading to a website like Edmunds© (http://www.edmunds.com) for vehicle reviews. Edmunds© tests every new car, truck, and SUV on the market each model year to give consumers independent insights into prospective vehicle purchases. Edmunds© and other consumer review websites are particular insightful when it comes to city and highway MPG in the real world. The EPA MPG ratings used by automakers to indicate fuel mileage are projected based on road tests. Independent drivers are able to tell consumers whether these ratings are too high or too low based on actual experiences behind the wheel.
Shoppers looking at high MPG trucks may be interested in learning about the trend toward hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles in the United States. The Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/) is another website run by the Federal Government that focuses on the burgeoning market for alternative-fuel vehicles. The AFAVD features statistics on MPG, hybrid vehicle ownership, and studies on ways to reduce fuel consumption in conventional vehicles. This website covers overlooked aspects of the alternative fuel market like truck conversions that can turn a Ford F-150® into an alternative-fuel vehicle.
2009 Ford Ranger®
FuelEconomy.gov rates the two-wheel drive version of the 2009 Ford Ranger® as the high MPG winner among light pickup trucks. The 2009 Ford Ranger® is available in manual and automatic transmissions with the manual squeezing out 26 MPG on the highway and 21 in the city. The Ford Ranger® is a popular choice among landscapers, foresters, and others who need a simple truck for tough terrain.
The Ford Ranger’s® substantial fuel mileage is possible due to the four-cylinder, 2.3 liter engine under the hood. Ford Motor Company has added great features like a tire monitoring system, satellite radio, and a more comfortable interior to make the Ranger® great for commuters. The 2009 Ford Ranger® is available for $16,395 MSRP with higher trim levels and advanced features running the total up to $20,000.
2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid®
The best MPG for new mid-sized trucks according to FuelEconomy.gov is the Chevy Silverado Hybrid®. This hybrid version of Chevrolet’s© popular truck line maintains the original styling while adding a continually variable transmission (CVT) under the hood. Chevrolet© launched the Silverado Hybrid® in 2005 to get the jump on other American automakers for the hybrid driver market. Drivers who pay the $39,015 MSPR for this truck can expect 21 miles per gallon in the city.
The 2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid® is attractive beyond its high MPG figures. This truck has four AC outlets in the bed that can be used to power small machines, lights, and rechargers in the field. The Silverado Hybrid® shuts down its engine at complete stops to preserve fuel, using electric power to pump up the generator when the gas pedal is depressed. The 2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid® is a good middle ground for drivers interested in high MPG trucks as well as traditional truck power.
2009 Ford F-150®
The Ford F-150® is a popular pickup truck among construction professionals who place durability high on their list. This vehicle offers drivers an 18 MPG on the highway and 14 MPG in the city, placing it high on the MPG list among conventional trucks. Ford Motor Company© retails the Ford F-150® for $33,160, with additional options and features pushing this high MPG truck into the $40,000 range.
Ford F-150® owners do not need to sacrifice cargo capacity and power for improved fuel mileage. The Ford F-150® is able to pull up to 9,300 pounds, an industry-leading figure among standard pickups. Drivers can hit 60 miles per hour from a dead stop in 8.61 seconds which demonstrates the available power under the hood.
2009 Xebra Electric Truck®
The aforementioned high MPG trucks are traditional trucks as well as “mild” hybrids that show the lack of foresight among major automakers. Truck drivers looking for utility vehicles and light-duty trucks can check out a smaller producer like ZAP Motors© (http://www.zapworld.com) to find high MPG trucks. ZAP (Zero Air Pollution) Motors© is a California-based producer that has been building all-electric vehicles since 1994. The company’s contribution to the high MPG truck market is the 2009 Xebra Electric Truck®.
The 2009 Xebra® is a two-seat light utility truck that is capable of towing up to 2,805 pounds. This truck can get up to 40 miles per hour, limiting its use to loading docks and job sites around the United States. The lead-acid battery under the hood can power the 2009 Xebra® up to 25 miles per charge, which is ideal for carrying boards and supplies across a corporate campus. The 2009 Xebra® has two seats that allow flexibility for drivers to bring foremen, tools, and supplies around job sites without difficulty.
Construction companies, utilities, and government agencies are looking at the 2009 Xebra® as an affordable alternative to traditional trucks. This high MPG truck is $12,500 to purchase with a $99 deposit required to reserve each unit. ZAP Motors© has authorized dealers throughout the United States to sell the 2009 Xebra®.
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