Ameer Randolph
Motor gasoline is one of the most consumed fuels in the United States, with Americans using about 135.73 billion gallons of gasoline in 2022. The US Department of Energy has compiled data on over 41,000 passenger car models sold in the country since 1984, revealing an overall improvement in fuel efficiency. This can be attributed to the shift towards alternative fuel types, such as electricity and hybrid fuels, with electric vehicles offering an average of more than 100 mpg.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average fuel efficiency of light-duty vehicles in the US | 1980-1994: N/A |
| Fuel efficiency calculation method | Reciprocal of the sales-weighted average of gallons per mile |
| US motor gasoline consumption in 2022 | 134.55 billion gallons |
| US motor gasoline consumption in 2023 | 376 million gallons per day |
| US motor gasoline consumption record | 392 million gallons per day in 2018 |
| US total energy consumption from motor gasoline in 2022 | 16% |
| Percentage of US gasoline consumption by light-duty vehicles | 91% |
| Pickup truck fuel efficiency in 1985 | 17 mpg |
| Pickup truck fuel efficiency in 2019 | 19 mpg |
| Number of electric vehicle models in 1998 | 3 |
| Number of electric vehicle models in 2019 | 36 (17% of all models) |
| Electric vehicle fuel efficiency in 1998 | 50 mpg |
| Electric vehicle fuel efficiency in 2019 | 100 mpg |
| Hybrid vehicle fuel efficiency | 33 mpg |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel consumption by car type
In 2022, Americans consumed about 135.73 billion gallons of gasoline, including 134.55 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline, which is one of the most-consumed fuels in the country. Motor gasoline includes fuel used in cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, and motorcycles. Light-duty vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and small trucks, account for about 91% of all gasoline consumption in the United States.
The average annual fuel consumption of a vehicle depends on the average miles traveled per year and the fuel economy of the vehicle. Class 8 trucks, which travel long distances with heavy loads, consume the most fuel on average compared to any other vehicle type. Refuse trucks are the second-largest consumers of fuel due to their heavy loads and stop-and-go drive cycles. Transit buses also consume a large amount of fuel due to their drive cycles and heavy loads.
Demand response vehicles, delivery trucks, and school buses have higher fuel efficiency, which reduces their annual fuel use. These vehicles are typically owned by individual consumers and use a fraction of the fuel consumed by fleet-based vehicles.
The fuel efficiency of light-duty vehicles has improved over the years. For example, the CAFE standard for 2-wheel drive light trucks was 16.0 mpg in 1980, while 4-wheel drive light trucks were at 14.0 mpg.
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Electric cars vs. fuel cars
In 2022, Americans used around 135.73 billion gallons of gasoline, with light-duty vehicles (cars, SUVs, and small trucks) accounting for about 91% of this consumption. This large fuel consumption has led many to consider switching to electric vehicles (EVs).
One of the biggest draws of electric cars is skipping trips to the pump, which can be very costly. A 2018 study found that the average cost to fuel an electric car was $485 a year, compared to $1,117 for a gas-powered vehicle. A 2020 Consumer Reports study also showed that EV drivers spend about 60% less each year on fuel costs. These savings are largely due to the fact that current EVs are 2.6 to 4.8 times more efficient at traveling a mile than gasoline cars. The efficiency of an EV is measured by how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity it consumes per 100 miles, with a lower kWh/100 miles rate being better. For example, the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has an efficiency rating of 24 kWh/100 miles. However, it is important to note that charging your car at home will cause your electricity bill to rise, and public charging stations tend to be more expensive.
Another advantage of electric cars is their lower maintenance costs. Electric motors and batteries require less routine care than gasoline engines, as there is no need to worry about oil changes and replacing as many moving parts. The average lifetime maintenance cost of an electric vehicle is $4,600, compared to $9,200 for a gasoline vehicle.
However, there are also some drawbacks to electric cars. One of the most significant considerations is the cost of the vehicle itself. Electric cars tend to be more expensive to buy upfront. For example, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 starts at $38,790, while the similarly-sized, gasoline-powered Volkswagen Tiguan starts at $27,785. However, as electric vehicles become more mainstream, the upfront cost difference is declining, and there are now more affordable options on the market. Additionally, there may be incentives and tax credits available to help offset the purchase price of an electric vehicle.
In conclusion, while electric cars have some drawbacks, such as the higher upfront cost and the need to consider charging costs and options, they offer significant advantages over fuel cars in terms of fuel and maintenance costs. As more countries and states move towards banning the sale of new gasoline vehicles, electric cars are likely to become an even more popular and influential choice for consumers.
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Fuel economy standards
In 2022, Americans used about 135.73 billion gallons of gasoline, including 134.55 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline (about 368.63 million gallons per day). Motor gasoline is one of the most consumed fuels in the United States. Light-duty vehicles (cars, SUVs, and small trucks) account for about 91% of all gasoline consumption in the country.
To regulate fuel consumption, the US has implemented the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. CAFE standards define the fuel economy levels that manufacturers' fleets are required to meet annually. These standards are set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which enforces compliance. The CAFE standards apply separately to passenger cars and light trucks, with specific levels depending on the characteristics and mix of vehicles produced by each manufacturer.
If a manufacturer's fleet fails to meet the average fuel economy requirement for a given year, they must either apply sufficient CAFE credits to cover the shortfall or pay a penalty. The current penalty is $14 per 0.1 mpg under the standard, multiplied by the manufacturer's total production for the US domestic market. Additionally, a Gas Guzzler Tax is levied on individual passenger car models that get less than 22.5 miles per gallon.
CAFE standards are expressed as mathematical functions based on vehicle footprint, a measure of vehicle size. Larger vehicles have lower fuel economy requirements than smaller vehicles. For example, the 2012 Honda Fit with a footprint of 40 sq ft has a fuel economy target of 36 miles per gallon, while the Ford F-150 with a footprint of 65-75 sq ft has a target of 22 miles per gallon.
In June 2024, the NHTSA finalized new fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans for model years 2030-2035. The new standards will increase fuel economy by 2% per year for passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2027-2031, and by 10% per year for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans for model years 2030-2032. These standards are expected to save consumers billions of dollars in fuel costs, reduce pollution, and decrease America's dependence on oil.
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Fuel consumption by year
In 2022, Americans used about 135.73 billion gallons of gasoline, including 134.55 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline (about 368.63 million gallons per day) and about 0.19 billion gallons of finished aviation gasoline. Motor gasoline is the main product of US oil refineries and is one of the most consumed fuels in the country. In 2022, total gasoline consumption accounted for about 16% of total energy consumption in the US and 45% of total petroleum consumption by volume. Light-duty vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and small trucks, account for about 91% of all gasoline consumption in the US.
In 2023, US finished motor gasoline consumption averaged about 8.94 million barrels per day, or about 376 million gallons per day. The record-high level of finished motor gasoline consumption occurred in 2018, reaching approximately 392 million gallons per day.
While data for vehicle fuel consumption by year in the US is limited, it is evident that gasoline remains a significant energy source for the transportation sector. Light-duty vehicles, in particular, rely heavily on gasoline, with cars, SUVs, and small trucks contributing to the majority of gasoline consumption in the country.
It is worth noting that the data provided focuses solely on gasoline consumption and does not include other types of vehicle fuel, such as diesel or electric power. Additionally, the data may not capture the most recent trends in fuel consumption, as it covers up to the year 2023.
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Fuel consumption by state
Fuel consumption by cars in America is a pressing issue, with motor gasoline being one of the most consumed fuels in the country. In 2022, Americans used about 135.73 billion gallons of gasoline, including 134.55 billion gallons of finished motor gasoline, which averages to about 368.63 million gallons per day. This figure includes fuel used by cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, and motorcycles. Light-duty vehicles, which include cars, SUVs, and small trucks, account for approximately 91% of all gasoline consumption in the United States.
While data on fuel consumption by individual states is not readily available, it's worth noting that the United States introduced fuel economy regulations as early as 1975 with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. These standards define the levels that manufacturers' fleets must meet in a given model year, with specific levels depending on the characteristics and mix of vehicles produced.
In 2020, the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule was implemented, setting less stringent fuel economy standards than previous years. This rule introduced a lower annual fuel economy improvement rate and made changes to incentives for electric and natural gas vehicles.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency plays a crucial role in providing fuel economy data for new cars and light trucks, updating its methodology to account for advancements in vehicle technologies, driving behavior, and conditions. Their labels offer valuable information on vehicle fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, Americans used about 368.63 million gallons of finished motor gasoline per day.
In 2018, the record-high level of finished motor gasoline consumption was about 392 million gallons per day. In 2023, this decreased to about 376 million gallons per day.
The type of vehicle and its fuel efficiency play a significant role in fuel consumption. For example, sedans and SUVs have shown improvements in fuel efficiency over the years.
Fuel efficiency is typically measured in miles per gallon (mpg). It represents the number of miles a vehicle can travel per gallon of fuel.
Shifting towards alternative fuel types, such as electricity and hybrid fuels, can improve fuel efficiency. Electric vehicles, in particular, have made significant advancements in this area.
