EPA Tells Mercedes-Benz to Revise Gas Mileage Rates

Giancarlo Perlas October 2, 2014

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked Mercedes-Benz to revise the fuel-efficiency ratings of its C300 4MATIC.

Mercedes-Benz was the latest target of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to USA Today, EPA claimed the gas estimates in miles per gallon (MPG) of the three-pointed star marque in some of its models were inaccurate. The agency asked the luxury automaker to downgrade the numbers.

The models, which caught the attention of the regulator, were the 2013 and 2014 versions of the Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC. The regulating body revised the flexible fuel version and PZEV low-emission figures of the said models.

However, looking at the previous downgrades EPA made to other automakers like Ford, Kia, and Hyundai, the changes it made to the Mercedes figures were only minor. Notably, only one mile per gallon was taken out from the rating of the subject.

The flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) now stands at 19 mpg. The highway rating of 27 mpg and the average rating of 22 remained the same though. On the other hand, the partial zero emissions vehicle (PZEV) was also downgraded by one point in all categories. However, the PZEV still gets 22 mpg in city drive, 28 mpg during a run on the highway, and a combined average of 19 mpg.

EPA stated the discrepancies were caused by the valves used in the Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC during testing. It said they were different than the ones submitted to the agency at the time of the certification.

In compliance with the findings and recommendations of EPA, Mercedes-Benz has already updated the figures of the affected cars.