Sylvie Willis
The fuel economy of cars is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel, typically expressed in miles per gallon (mpg) or litres per 100 kilometres (L/100 km). The average fuel economy of cars varies depending on factors such as the year, location, vehicle category, and testing methodology. For instance, the average fuel economy for new cars in the United States improved from 17 mpg in 1978 to 25.4 mpg in 2020 and 2021, with slight variations in the numbers from different sources. In Europe, cars tend to have higher fuel efficiency, with European diesel cars achieving greater fuel efficiency than their US counterparts. Factors such as fuel prices, emission standards, and consumer behaviour also influence the average fuel economy of cars in different regions.
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What You'll Learn
Fuel economy in the US vs Europe
Fuel economy refers to the efficiency of a vehicle in terms of the distance it can travel per unit of fuel. It is commonly expressed as miles per gallon (mpg) or litres per 100 kilometres (L/100 km). While the thermal efficiency of petroleum engines has improved since the early days of automotive transport, fuel economy is influenced by various factors beyond engine efficiency, including vehicle design and usage patterns.
Fuel Economy in the US
The average fuel economy of automobiles in the United States has fluctuated over time. In 2002, the average was 22.0 mpg (10.7 L/100 km), increasing to 23.0 mpg (10.2 L/100 km) in 2010. By 2016, the average fuel economy of new cars and light trucks in the US was about 24.7 mpg. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average fuel economy for 2020 model year cars, light trucks, and SUVs was 25.4 mpg (9.3 L/100 km). However, it's important to note that these figures can vary depending on testing methods and protocols, and real-world driving conditions may yield different results.
The fuel economy standards in the US have undergone changes in recent years. During the Obama administration, stringent fuel economy rules were put in place for automobiles, aiming for significant improvements by 2025. However, the Trump administration later weakened these standards, citing them as too strict. This rollback has the potential to influence fuel economy policies in other countries that have linked their standards to the US.
Fuel Economy in Europe
European-built cars generally have a reputation for higher fuel efficiency compared to their US counterparts. This is partly due to the prevalence of smaller vehicles and diesel engines in Europe, which tend to be more fuel-efficient. The testing procedures and driving conditions in Europe also differ from those in the US, which contributes to variations in fuel economy ratings.
The European Union has set regulations to reduce the average emissions of cars sold, addressing environmental concerns related to CO2 emissions. By 2013, the average European car emitted 127 grams of CO2 per kilometre, even surpassing the EU's targets for 2015. The focus on reducing emissions has driven the development of more fuel-efficient vehicles in Europe.
Comparison
When comparing fuel economy in the US and Europe, it's important to consider the differences in testing methods and procedures. European fuel economy ratings are often higher than those in the US, but they may not always translate directly to real-world driving conditions. The testing protocols in the US, such as those conducted by the EPA, aim to incorporate factors like speed, temperature, and air conditioning usage to provide more realistic estimates.
Overall, the average fuel economy for all vehicles on the road is higher in Europe than in the United States. This can be attributed to various factors, including consumer behaviour influenced by higher fuel costs in Europe, and the availability and popularity of more fuel-efficient vehicles. The differences in emission standards and regulations between the two regions also play a role in the fuel economy landscape.
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How fuel efficiency is calculated
Fuel efficiency in cars is a measure of the distance a motor vehicle can travel on a single gallon of gas. It is calculated by dividing the distance travelled by the amount of energy used. For combustion engines, the energy used is the volume of fuel consumed. This is often referred to as the vehicle's MPG (miles per gallon).
The MPG of a car can be used to calculate how much a rise in gas prices will affect your budget, or how much money you could save by choosing a car with better MPG. To calculate the MPG of your car, you can use the trip odometer in your car, which counts mileage and can be reset. First, fill up your gas tank completely and record the mileage before you start driving. Then, drive until your tank is almost empty and record the new mileage and the number of gallons it takes to fill the tank again. Subtract the initial mileage from the second mileage reading to determine the distance travelled, and divide this figure by the number of gallons it took to refill your tank. This will give you the MPG for your car.
It is important to note that fuel economy and fuel efficiency are not the same thing, although the terms are often used interchangeably. Fuel efficiency is a broader term that refers to how effectively a car uses fuel, while fuel economy refers to a specific number that shows how far a car can go on a certain amount of fuel, e.g. 30 miles per gallon.
For electric vehicles, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a unit of measure called MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) to enable a comparison of gas-powered cars and electric vehicles. MPGe ratings are subject to fluctuate depending on factors such as climate, cargo load, terrain, and driving habits.
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Fuel economy by vehicle type
The fuel economy of a vehicle is influenced by its design, usage pattern, and the jurisdiction in which it is driven. 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). In comparison, a reasonably modern European supermini or mid-size car may achieve 47-56 mpg US (5.0-4.2 L/100 km) on the motorway and 36-43 mpg US (6.5-5.5 L/100 km) in city traffic.
Cars
The fuel economy of cars varies depending on their size and location. In the United States, the average fuel economy for new 2019 model year "midsize" cars (excluding EVs) ranged from 12 to 56 mpg US (20 to 4.2 L/100 km). In contrast, North American mid-size cars typically achieve 21 mpg US (11 L/100 km) in the city and 27 mpg US (9 L/100 km) on the highway. Full-size SUVs have a lower fuel economy, typically achieving 13 mpg US (18 L/100 km) in the city and 16 mpg US (15 L/100 km) on the highway.
Trucks
Trucks generally have lower fuel economy than cars due to their heavier loads and driving conditions. Class 8 trucks, which travel long distances with heavy loads, consume the most fuel of any vehicle type. Refuse trucks also have low fuel economy due to their heavy loads and stop-and-go drive cycles. Pickup trucks vary significantly in fuel economy, with light pickups achieving up to 28 mpg US (8 L/100 km), while full-size pickups with extended cabins manage only 13-15 mpg US (18-15 L/100 km).
Buses
Transit buses have relatively low fuel economy, similar to refuse trucks, due to their heavy loads and stop-and-go drive cycles. School buses, on the other hand, have a higher fuel economy, reducing their annual fuel use.
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Fuel economy over time
Fuel economy refers to the efficiency of a vehicle in terms of distance travelled per unit of fuel consumed. It is influenced by factors such as engine thermal efficiency, vehicle design, and usage patterns. Over time, various factors have influenced the fuel economy of cars, and it has witnessed improvements, especially in the past two decades.
In the United States, the average fuel economy has shown a general upward trend since 1973. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, established after the oil price shocks in 1974, 1980, and 2008, have played a significant role in pushing automakers to enhance fuel efficiency. Between 1975 and 2022, the fuel efficiency of all vehicles in the US increased by 101.5%, rising from 13.1 to 26.4 miles per gallon (mpg). The improvement is even more pronounced for cars, with a 146.7% increase in fuel efficiency during the same period, from 13.5 to 33.3 mpg. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have also established regulations for greenhouse gas emissions, further driving the development of cleaner vehicles.
According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) report on major car markets from 2005 to 2017, the global average fuel consumption of newly registered light-duty vehicles (LDVs) reached 7.2 litres of gasoline-equivalent per 100 kilometres (Lge/100 km) in 2017. The average fuel consumption varies substantially between countries, ranging from 5.2 Lge/100 km to 8.9 Lge/100 km. The growing consumer demand for larger vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-ups, has influenced the average fuel economy of LDVs. North America and Australia have had a high market share of these vehicles, with nearly 60% in 2017.
In Europe, vehicles tend to be more fuel-efficient than in the United States. European-built cars, including both diesel and gasoline vehicles, generally achieve better fuel efficiency. This is partly due to the higher cost of fuel in Europe, which influences consumer behaviour and encourages the adoption of more fuel-efficient vehicles. However, the sale of European diesel cars in the US is challenging due to emission standards and regulations.
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Fuel economy and emissions
The average fuel economy of vehicles can vary depending on several factors, including the type of vehicle, the jurisdiction, and the testing methodology used. In the United States, the average fuel economy for new 2020 model year cars, light trucks, and SUVs was 25.4 miles per US gallon (9.3 L/100 km). This represented a record-high fleet fuel economy and a 32% increase over the results for 2004. The average fuel economy for all vehicles on the road is higher in Europe than in the United States due to higher fuel costs and a greater proportion of diesel-powered vehicles, which tend to have better fuel efficiency than gasoline engines. However, it is important to note that the average fuel economy of an individual vehicle can vary depending on driving conditions and habits, such as frequent accelerating and decelerating, running the air conditioning, and driving in stop-and-go traffic.
The fuel economy of a vehicle is influenced by various factors, including the design of the automobile, usage patterns, and the thermal efficiency of the engine. One method used by carmakers to increase fuel efficiency is lightweighting, where lighter-weight materials are used to improve engine performance and handling. Additionally, the testing methodology and protocols used to determine fuel economy can vary between jurisdictions, which can lead to differences in published fuel economy values for the same vehicle.
Emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, are a significant concern when it comes to fuel economy. The combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, releases CO2 into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and air pollution. In response to these environmental concerns, new regulations have been introduced in various jurisdictions to reduce average emissions. For example, new EU regulations aim to reduce the average emissions of cars sold to 130 g/km of CO2, equivalent to 4.5 L/100 km (52 mpg US, 63 mpg imp) for diesel-fueled cars and 5.0 L/100 km (47 mpg US, 56 mpg imp) for gasoline-fueled cars.
It is worth noting that electric vehicles (EVs) are not included in the fuel economy calculations for 2019 model year cars. EVs typically have much higher fuel economy than traditional gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, as they do not consume fuel and produce zero tailpipe emissions. However, it is important to consider the emissions associated with the production and transmission of electricity used to power these vehicles, as well as the recycling and disposal of batteries.
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Frequently asked questions
The average fuel economy for cars in the US has been gradually increasing since 1973, when it reached a low of 13.4 miles per US gallon. The average fuel economy for new 2020 model year cars, light trucks and SUVs in the US was 25.4 miles per US gallon.
The fuel economy of a car is affected by its design, usage pattern, and the jurisdiction in which it is driven. Cars with diesel engines tend to achieve greater fuel efficiency than those with gas engines.
The definition of good fuel economy depends on various factors, such as the type of car and the driving conditions. However, according to a Reddit user, a fuel economy of 15-18 miles per gallon is considered average, while anything above 20 miles per gallon is considered good.
