Katerina Swanson
Fuel economy is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel. It is typically expressed in litres per 100km or miles per gallon. There are many factors that affect a vehicle's fuel economy, including the way it is driven, the type of fuel, and the vehicle's size and weight. 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. Additionally, the sales share of fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrids and electric cars, is increasing, which is improving overall fuel economy.
Average Fuel Economy in Cars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average fuel consumption per 100km for small city hatchbacks | 6-7 litres |
| Average fuel consumption per 100km for mid-sized SUVs | 8-9 litres |
| Average fuel consumption per 100km for full-sized family SUVs | 10 litres |
| Average fuel consumption per 100km for dual-cab, four-wheel-drive utes | 10 litres |
| Average fuel consumption per 100km for hybrids | Varies, but lower in urban settings than on the highway |
| Average fuel consumption per 100km for plug-in hybrids | Very little fuel if trips are within the electric range |
| Factors affecting fuel consumption | Driving style, vehicle weight, vehicle manufacturing, vehicle age, vehicle type, fuel type, tyre pressure, fuel system, exhaust system, spark plugs, motor oil, drivetrain, add-ons, vehicle features, air conditioning, aerodynamic drag, fuel display, and more |
| Fuel economy ranking by country | Canada has the least fuel-efficient cars, followed by the United States |
| Fuel economy targets | Canada has set a target for all new LDV cars and trucks to be zero-emissions by 2035 |
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What You'll Learn
Calculating average fuel consumption
The average fuel economy of a car is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel. It is a useful metric for comparing the relative efficiency of different makes and models. There are no hard and fast rules for average fuel consumption, as it varies between cars, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles. However, as a rule of thumb, a small city hatchback should be able to achieve an average fuel consumption of around six to seven litres per 100 km, while a mid-sized SUV will be closer to eight or nine litres per 100 km.
Calculating the average fuel consumption of a vehicle is a straightforward process. The basic formula is to divide the amount of fuel used (in litres) by the distance travelled (in kilometres). This can be done manually or using an online fuel consumption calculator.
For example, if you've travelled 620 km since your last fill-up and needed 53 litres of fuel to refill your tank, you can calculate your average fuel consumption as follows:
- Divide the amount of fuel used (53 litres) by the distance travelled (620 km).
- This gives you 0.085, which means your car consumed 8.5 litres of fuel for every 100 km travelled.
It's important to note that the way a car is driven can also significantly impact its average fuel consumption. A lighter foot on the accelerator will generally result in lower fuel consumption, even between identical vehicles. Additionally, some vehicles, like hybrids, may have lower fuel consumption in urban settings compared to conventional cars.
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Fuel economy by vehicle type
The fuel economy of a vehicle is dependent on several factors, including the vehicle type, the average miles travelled, and the way it is driven. The fuel economy of a car is typically measured in litres per 100km or kilometres per litre.
Cars
The fuel consumption of a car depends on various factors, including the make and model, engine size, weight, and drive cycle. As a rule of thumb, a small city hatchback should be able to achieve an average fuel consumption of around six to seven litres per 100km, while a mid-sized SUV will be closer to eight or nine litres per 100km. A full-sized family SUV or a dual-cab, four-wheel-drive ute will use closer to 10 litres per 100km.
Trucks
Refuse trucks and transit buses typically have low fuel economy due to their heavy loads and stop-and-go drive cycles. Class 8 trucks, which carry heavy loads and travel long distances, also have relatively low fuel economy. Demand response, delivery trucks, and school buses have higher fuel economy, resulting in reduced annual fuel use.
Hybrids
Hybrid vehicles can skew the average fuel consumption figures, as they often have lower fuel consumption in urban settings compared to conventional cars. Plug-in hybrids, in particular, can use very little fuel if they are primarily used for short trips within their electric range and are charged frequently.
It is important to note that these are general estimates, and the actual fuel economy of a vehicle can vary based on driving habits, road conditions, and other factors.
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Improving fuel economy
The average fuel economy of a car varies depending on the type of vehicle and the country. For instance, in Canada, cars and trucks each made up about 50% of new vehicle sales in the mid-2000s, but by 2017, around 70% of newly registered vehicles were trucks. As trucks tend to have lower fuel efficiency than cars, this shift in consumer preference has impacted the country's average fuel economy.
Refuse trucks, transit buses, and Class 8 trucks tend to have low fuel economy due to their heavy weight and inconsistent drive cycles. On the other hand, hybrid vehicles tend to have lower fuel consumption in urban settings than on highways, which is the opposite of conventional cars.
As a rule of thumb, a small city hatchback should be able to achieve an average fuel consumption of around six to seven litres per 100km, while a mid-sized SUV will consume about eight to nine litres per 100km. A full-sized family SUV or a dual-cab, four-wheel-drive ute will likely use closer to 10 litres per 100km.
- Drive at slower speeds: Driving five to ten mph slower can result in fuel savings of 7% to 14%. Rapid acceleration and braking can decrease fuel economy by 10% to 40% in city driving and 15% to 30% on highways. Maintaining a steady speed of 50-90 km/h on the highway is optimal for fuel economy.
- Reduce weight: Every extra 50 kg in your car increases fuel consumption by 2%. This includes both cargo and passengers, so remove unnecessary items from your car and consider more fuel-efficient options if you regularly carry heavy loads.
- Use cruise control: This feature helps maintain a consistent speed, reducing acceleration and braking surges that waste fuel. It can save up to 14% in fuel mileage.
- Avoid idling: Idling can consume a significant amount of fuel, especially in stop-and-go traffic. If you anticipate being stopped for more than 10 seconds, consider turning off the engine to conserve fuel.
- Improve tyre pressure and weight: Ensuring your tyres are properly inflated can improve fuel economy. Additionally, consider lightweight rims and low rolling resistance (LRR) tyres, which can enhance fuel efficiency and handling.
- Plan your route: Anticipate traffic conditions and plan your route to minimise stops and starts. This can help you maintain a more consistent speed and reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.
- Maintain sensible driving habits: Anticipate traffic flow by looking ahead and planning your moves. Avoid tailgating and sudden braking, which wastes fuel and is unsafe. Maintaining a safe distance and anticipating traffic flow can help improve fuel economy.
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Country-specific fuel economy
Fuel economy is a significant factor in a nation's foreign trade and air pollution levels, and many countries have imposed requirements to regulate it. The average fuel economy is influenced by consumer behaviour, which is in turn influenced by the cost of fuel. For instance, the average fuel economy for vehicles on the road is higher in Europe than in the United States due to the higher cost of fuel in Europe.
United States
The average fuel economy for new passenger cars in the United States improved from 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) in 1978 to more than 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) in 1982. 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).
Europe
In Europe, the standard measuring cycles for "litre/100 km" value are "urban" traffic with speeds up to 50 km/h and "extra urban" travel at various speeds up to 120 km/h. A combined figure is also quoted, showing the total fuel consumed divided by the total distance traveled in both tests. European-built cars are generally more fuel-efficient than US vehicles, with higher efficiency diesel cars and gasoline vehicles.
Other Countries
Other countries with established or proposed fuel efficiency standards include Brazil, Mexico, Canada, India, South Korea, China, and Japan. These regulations cover more than 85% of global passenger vehicle sales and significantly impact the decisions of major vehicle manufacturers.
It is worth noting that the growing consumer demand for larger vehicles, such as SUVs and pick-ups, has been a common characteristic across all vehicle markets, impacting the average fuel economy of LDVs.
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Fuel economy regulations
Fuel economy, or average fuel consumption, is a useful metric for comparing the relative efficiency of different vehicles. It is calculated using a simple mathematical formula: the amount of fuel used is divided by the distance travelled. This calculation can be done for every type of fuel, including petrol, diesel, and gas.
There are no universal regulations for fuel economy, but some countries have implemented policies to improve fuel economy and reduce fuel consumption and harmful CO2 emissions. For example, New Zealand has the Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Labelling programme, which improves vehicle efficiency through mandatory labelling, allowing consumers to compare vehicles based on carbon dioxide emissions and energy economy.
In the United States, the Alternative Fuels Data Center provides data on the average fuel economy of vehicles by major vehicle category. The metric used is gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs), representing a quantity of fuel with the same amount of energy contained in a gallon of gasoline. This data can be used to compare the fuel efficiency of different vehicles and make more informed choices about fuel consumption.
Canada, on the other hand, has less fuel-efficient cars on average, possibly due to factors such as consumer preferences, climate, urban design, and demographics. The price of fuel in Canada is also lower than in most countries, which may contribute to less focus on fuel economy.
Overall, understanding average fuel consumption is essential for making informed decisions about vehicle choice and improving fuel efficiency. While regulations vary by country, initiatives like mandatory labelling and data-sharing can help consumers and policymakers make more sustainable choices.
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Frequently asked questions
The average fuel economy of a car is calculated by dividing the amount of fuel used by the distance travelled. For example, if you travelled 620km and used 53 litres of fuel, you would divide 53 by 6.2 (620km divided by 100) to get 8.5 litres per 100km.
This depends on the type of car. A small city hatchback should be able to achieve around 6-7 litres per 100km, while a mid-sized SUV will be closer to 8-9 litres per 100km. A full-sized family SUV or a dual-cab, four-wheel-drive ute will use around 10 litres per 100km.
The way a car is driven can significantly impact its fuel economy. For example, aggressive driving habits such as heavy braking and accelerating can reduce fuel efficiency. Other factors include the type of fuel, the weight of the vehicle, the condition of the fuel system, the exhaust system, spark plugs, and the type of motor oil used.
There are several ways to improve the fuel economy of your car. Firstly, ensure that your tyres are properly inflated and check the tyre pressure monthly. Remove any unnecessary weight from the vehicle, such as roof racks or sports equipment. Use air conditioning in moderation, and open the windows whenever possible to reduce aerodynamic drag. Finally, drive in a fuel-efficient manner by avoiding heavy braking and accelerating, and consider using fuel-efficient driving techniques such as cruise control.
