WASHINGTON -- Consumers Union is lobbying Congress to require public disclosure of fuel economy estimates for heavy-duty pickups so buyers can make more informed choices, after its tests found diesel-powered trucks underperformed gasoline-powered trucks.
Automakers are required to post window stickers on new light-duty vehicles showing estimated fuel economy, but there is no such mandate for trucks with gross vehicle weights exceeding 8,500 pounds.
The latest issue of the public interest group's magazine, Consumer Reports, includes a report about tests it conducted on four popular heavy-duty pickups: the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, Ford F-250, Ram 2500 and Nissan Titan XD.
The tests found that the greater efficiency of their diesel engines does not make up for the extra weight they carry. The heavy-duty trucks achieved 14 to 15 mpg, or about 1 to 2 mpg less than their gasoline-powered light-duty counterparts.
