Sylvie Willis
Average fuel consumption is a great way to compare the relative efficiency of different makes and models of cars. The average fuel economy for new 2020 model year cars in the United States was 25.4 miles per gallon (9.3 L/100 km). However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as fuel consumption varies depending on the type of vehicle, the testing methods of the jurisdiction, and the way the car is driven. For example, a small city hatchback should be able to achieve an average fuel consumption of around six to seven litres per 100km, while a full-sized family SUV will use closer to 10 litres per 100km. Diesel engines generally achieve greater fuel efficiency than petrol engines, and the way a car is driven can also significantly impact its fuel consumption.
Average Fuel Consumption in Cars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average fuel economy for new 2020 model year cars, light trucks and SUVs in the US | 25.4 miles per US gallon (9.3 L/100 km) |
| Average fuel economy for 2019 model year cars (excluding EVs) classified as "midsize" by the US EPA | 12 to 56 mpg US (20 to 4.2 L/100 km) |
| Average fuel economy in the US in 2010 | 23.0 miles per US gallon (10.2 L/100 km; 27.6 mpg-imp) |
| Average fuel economy in the US in 2002 | 22.0 miles per US gallon (10.7 L/100 km; 26.4 mpg-imp) |
| Average fuel economy in the US in 1973 | 13.4 miles per US gallon (17.6 L/100 km; 16.1 mpg-imp) |
| Average fuel economy for 2011 Honda CR-Z with a six-speed manual transmission in Europe | 6.1/4.4 L/100 km |
| Average fuel economy for 2011 Honda CR-Z with a six-speed manual transmission in the US | 7.6/6.4 L/100 km (31/37 mpg) |
| Average fuel economy for Skoda Octavia with a petrol engine | 41.3 mpg-US (5.70 L/100 km) |
| Average fuel economy for Skoda Octavia with a diesel engine | 52.3 mpg-US (4.50 L/100 km) |
| Average fuel economy for Mazda | 30/41 mpg (35 combined) |
| Average fuel economy considered good by some car owners | 20 mpg and above |
| Average fuel economy considered poor by some car owners | 10-15 mpg |
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What You'll Learn
Average fuel consumption per 100km
Average fuel consumption per 100 km varies depending on the type of vehicle and the region. In Australia, the average fuel consumption for passenger vehicles is 11.1 litres per 100 km, which is higher than in other major markets such as the United States (4.2 litres per 100 km), the United Kingdom (3.6 litres per 100 km), and Europe (3.5 litres per 100 km).
For context, Australia's average fuel consumption for light commercial vehicles, such as utes and vans, is 9.9 litres per 100 km, which is also higher than in other countries. For example, the UK averages 5.9 litres per 100 km for this vehicle category, China averages 5.6 litres per 100 km, and the US averages 6.1 litres per 100 km.
When it comes to specific vehicle categories, small city hatchbacks should be able to achieve an average fuel consumption of around six to seven litres per 100 km, while a mid-sized SUV will likely consume around eight to nine litres per 100 km. A full-sized family SUV will use even more, typically consuming closer to 10 litres per 100 km. It is important to note that these are just averages and that actual fuel consumption can vary depending on factors such as driving conditions and individual vehicle characteristics.
In terms of fuel type, diesel engines generally achieve greater fuel efficiency than petrol engines. For example, the Skoda Octavia, using Volkswagen engines, has a combined European fuel efficiency of 5.70 litres per 100 km for its 105 bhp petrol engine and 4.50 litres per 100 km for its heavier diesel engine.
To calculate average fuel consumption per 100 km, you can use the formula: litres used divided by distance travelled in kilometres, divided by 100. For instance, if you travelled 620 km and used 53 litres of fuel, your average fuel consumption would be 8.5 litres per 100 km.
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Factors affecting fuel consumption
Fuel consumption is a key consideration for car owners, and there are many factors that can affect a vehicle's fuel economy. Here are some of the most significant factors:
Driving Habits
Aggressive driving habits, such as hard braking and acceleration, can significantly impact fuel consumption. Slowing down when approaching a red light or a hill, rather than coming to a complete stop or accelerating suddenly, can help improve fuel efficiency. Additionally, maintaining a constant speed by using cruise control, especially on highways, can reduce fuel consumption by avoiding excessive braking and acceleration. Driving at higher speeds also increases air resistance, causing the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Speeding on the highway can reduce fuel economy by up to 30%.
Vehicle Maintenance
Regular car servicing and maintenance are crucial for optimal fuel efficiency. This includes keeping your engine well-maintained, replacing parts such as spark plugs, fuel filters, and air filters as needed, and ensuring that the engine oil is of the correct viscosity grade and changed at the recommended intervals. Poor engine maintenance can lead to sludge build-up and increased friction, resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Tire Condition
The condition of your tires can also impact fuel economy. Underinflated tires can increase rolling resistance, leading to higher fuel consumption. Tires lose about 3 PSI per month and 1 PSI for every 10-degree temperature drop, so regular tire pressure checks are important. Worn-out tires with reduced traction may also need to spin more to maintain speed, consuming more fuel.
Short Trips
Cars tend to consume more fuel during short trips, especially when the engine is not fully warmed up. Taking longer trips or combining multiple short trips into one can improve fuel economy.
Wind Resistance
Driving with the windows down at high speeds can increase wind resistance, resulting in higher fuel consumption. In such cases, using air conditioning may be more fuel-efficient.
Load and Weight
The weight of your vehicle also plays a role in fuel consumption. Every extra 50 kg of weight in your car can increase fuel consumption by 2%.
By understanding and addressing these factors, car owners can improve their vehicle's fuel economy and, consequently, reduce their fuel costs.
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Fuel economy by vehicle type
The average fuel consumption of a car can be calculated using a simple mathematical formula. The formula is: litres of fuel used divided by the distance travelled. In Australia, fuel consumption is typically expressed in litres per 100km, so the distance travelled is divided by 100 before being used to divide the number of litres. This formula works for all types of fuel, including petrol, diesel and gas (LPG).
For example, if you travelled 620km and used 53 litres of fuel, you would divide 53 by 6.2 (620 divided by 100) to get 8.5 litres per 100km. This figure can also be flipped to show fuel consumption in kilometres per litre.
The way a car is driven can also impact its average fuel consumption. A lighter right foot will stretch each litre of fuel further, so identical cars with different drivers may have very different average fuel consumption figures.
There are no hard and fast rules for average fuel consumption across different vehicle types, but there are some broad trends. For example, small city hatchbacks tend to be more fuel-efficient than mid-sized SUVs, which in turn tend to be more efficient than full-sized family SUVs. Diesel engines tend to be more efficient than petrol engines, and hybrid vehicles tend to be the most efficient in urban settings.
In the United States, the fuel economy of vehicles is measured using gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs), which represent the quantity of fuel with the same amount of energy contained in a gallon of gasoline. Refuse trucks and transit buses tend to have low fuel economies due to their heavy loads and inconsistent drive cycles. Class 8 trucks, which carry heavy loads over long distances, also have low fuel economies. Demand response, delivery trucks, and school buses tend to have higher fuel economies.
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Calculating fuel consumption
Fuel consumption is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel, also known as fuel economy or fuel efficiency. It is a useful metric to help budget for future trips and can be calculated in a few simple ways.
Firstly, it is important to note that fuel consumption is typically expressed as litres per 100km. To calculate this, you need to divide the number of litres of fuel used by the distance travelled in kilometres, and then multiply this figure by 100. For example, if you travelled 620km and used 53 litres of fuel, your fuel consumption would be 8.5 litres per 100km (53 divided by 6.2, which is 620 divided by 100).
You can also calculate fuel consumption by recording the number of litres of fuel used and the distance travelled in miles or kilometres. To do this, you should drive your car until the tank is empty and then refill it, recording the number of litres needed to fill the tank. You should also record the distance travelled on the trip odometer. This method requires that you do not reset the odometer when you get a new tank of gas. By dividing the amount of fuel used by the distance travelled, you can calculate your fuel consumption.
To get a more accurate picture of your car's fuel consumption, you can record multiple tanks of gas in a row and calculate the average consumption. This will eliminate outliers in your data, such as days where you drove in unusual conditions.
Additionally, if you know the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, you can simply take its reciprocal to find your vehicle's fuel consumption.
Average Fuel Consumption
The average fuel consumption of a vehicle depends on various factors, including the type of vehicle, the average miles travelled per year, and the fuel economy of the vehicle. For example, a small city hatchback should be able to achieve an average fuel consumption of around six to seven litres per 100km, while a full-sized family SUV will use closer to 10 litres per 100km. Another factor that affects fuel consumption is the way the car is driven; a lighter foot on the accelerator will generally result in lower fuel consumption.
You can also find the average fuel consumption for your car model online at the United States Department of Energy website.
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Fuel efficiency by region
Fuel efficiency varies across the world, with different regions adopting distinct standards and measurements. Here is an overview of fuel efficiency by region:
North America
In North America, fuel economy standards are in place, with targets set for 2018 to 2025. The average fuel economy for new passenger cars in the United States has improved over time. For instance, it increased from 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) in 1978 to over 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) in 1982. More recently, the average fuel economy for new 2020 model year cars, light trucks, and SUVs in the United States was 25.4 mpg (9.3 L/100 km). The fuel efficiency varies within different vehicle categories, with refuse trucks and transit buses having relatively low fuel economy due to their weight and driving conditions. A North American mid-size car typically achieves 21 mpg (11 L/100 km) in city driving and 27 mpg (9 L/100 km) on the highway.
Europe
Europe is taking significant steps towards improving fuel efficiency, with a particular focus on diesel vehicles. The region has witnessed a rapid decline in diesel sales, impacting the overall fuel efficiency landscape. The average fuel consumption in Europe is generally expressed in litres per 100 kilometres (L/100 km). A modern European supermini or mid-size car may achieve around 5 L/100 km (47 mpg US) on the motorway and 6.5 L/100 km (36 mpg US) in city traffic. To address environmental concerns, the EU introduced regulations to reduce average emissions, aiming for 130 g/km of CO2, equivalent to 4.5 L/100 km (52 mpg US) for diesel cars.
Asia
Asian countries have fuel economy standards, but they are not as long-term as those in other regions, with no country setting standards beyond 2022.
Australia
Australia has made progress in fuel efficiency, with the average car fleet consumption in 2004 being 11.5 L/100 km (20.5 mpg US). However, by the same year, the average new car consumption was lower at 9.3 L/100 km (25.3 mpg US), indicating a shift towards more fuel-efficient vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
The average fuel consumption of a car depends on the type of car and the type of fuel used. Diesel engines generally achieve greater fuel efficiency than petrol engines. The average fuel economy for new 2020 model year cars, light trucks and SUVs in the United States was 25.4 miles per US gallon (9.3 L/100 km).
A small city hatchback should be able to achieve an average fuel consumption of around six to seven litres per 100km.
A mid-sized SUV will be closer to eight or nine litres per 100km.
A full-sized family SUV will use closer to 10 litres per 100km in the real world.
To calculate the average fuel consumption of your car, divide the amount of fuel used by the distance travelled. For example, if you travelled 620km and used 53 litres of fuel, your average fuel consumption was 8.5 litres per 100km.
