Ford Motor Co. lowered the fuel economy ratings for six 2013 and 2014 model-year vehicles, including the Fiesta subcompact car that has been widely added to fleets.
Clean Pass, a New York state-run program promoting reduced greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption, recently ruled C-MAX Energi owners could drive the entire 40-mile stretch of the Long Island Expressway in the carpool lane.
The approval also paves the way for the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid to be approved in other states with carpool lane incentives, such as Maryland, New York and Virginia.
Ford estimates savings of $7,000 over the course of five years when compared with the EPA's average new vehicle fuel economy of 23 mpg.
Built to beat the fuel efficiency of the Toyota Prius v and Toyota Prius Plug-In, the C-Max vehicles are an attractive lineup for the eco-conscious fleet buyer.
Ford said the C-MAX Energi starts at a base MSRP of $33,745, but that after a federal tax credit pf $3,750, the vehicle's base price will be $29,995.