On Monday the Environmental Protection Agency drastically lowered fuel economy estimates across the board. The cut comes from new testing standards that involve more real world situations such as speed, air conditioning use, and outside temperature.

“EPA’s new fuel economy sticker ensures American motorists won’t be stuck with higher than anticipated charges at the pump,” EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said Monday.

This new test will begin with all 2008 models, and will mark the first change to vehicle window stickers since 1984. The last time tests were amended was reflected in 1970 window stickers, when mileage went down as much as 22%. Also fuel cost and comparison model data will be added.

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From landlinemag.com

The national average price for a gallon of highway diesel increased since last week, but just barely.

The Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy reported that the national average price for diesel was $2.621 for the week ending Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, up 0.3 cents from last week’s price of $2.618.

Diesel in California increased by more than a dime, however, from $2.860 to $2. 963.