American Drivers, Cars Guzzling Record Levels of Gasoline

American drivers are burning record amounts of gasoline this year, encouraged by a strong economy to get out on the road and increasingly turning to vehicles with more zip and less fuel efficiency.

This summer’s gasoline consumption nationwide reached a peak of 356 million gallons a day in July and averaged a record 336 million gallons a day for the first eight months of the year, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.

The latest fuel mileage statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency for 1998 models--out this weekend--show efficiency at a standstill. While a handful of small cars get high mileage, nine of every 10 vehicles get less than 30 miles per gallon and nearly a fifth get less than 20 mpg.

For the eighth time in nine years, Chevrolet’s Geo Metro subcompact was the stingiest fuel miser, getting 46 mpg in combined city and highway driving. It was followed by two Volkswagens--the Jetta and Passat--at 43 mpg.

But motorists are showing continued interest in sport utility vehicles and peppy cars, with 1998 models now coming into showrooms emphasizing performance and style over fuel economy. Automakers say they’re providing what the consumer wants.

Much of the increase in gasoline use stems from the robust economy, simply having more vehicles on the road and people driving faster after states raised speed limits. Total miles traveled have been going up 2% or 3% a year.

But with cheap gasoline, drivers also are buying more fuel-hungry cars, especially larger sport utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks, than they did a decade ago when automobile fuel efficiency hit its peak, according to industry and energy efficiency experts.