Katerina Swanson
The average fuel consumption of a car is a topic of interest to many, especially with the growing concern for the environment and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The metric used to measure this is gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs), which represent the quantity of fuel with the same amount of energy as a gallon of gasoline. The average fuel economy of vehicles varies depending on the region and vehicle type, with factors such as miles travelled and fuel economy influencing consumption. For instance, the average fuel economy in the US was 25.4 MPG in 2021, while it was 22 MPG in 2002 and 16.9 MPG in 2000. In the EU, passenger vehicles are tested for urban and extra-urban fuel economies, and from 2020, manufacturers must adhere to strict emissions standards or face penalties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average fuel economy for cars in the US in 2021 | 25.4 miles per gallon |
| Average fuel economy for cars in the US in 2020 | 25.4 miles per gallon |
| Average fuel economy for cars in the US in 2010 | 23 miles per gallon |
| Average fuel economy for cars in the US in 2002 | 22 miles per gallon |
| Average fuel economy for cars in the US in 2000 | 16.9 miles per gallon |
| Average fuel economy for cars in the US in 1973 | 13.4 miles per gallon |
| Average fuel economy for cars in the US in 1970 | 12 miles per gallon |
| Average fuel economy for cars in Australia in 2004 | 20.5 miles per gallon |
| Average fuel economy for diesel-fueled cars in the EU | 4.5 L/100 km or 52 mpgUS |
| Average fuel economy for gasoline-fueled cars in the EU | 5.0 L/100 km or 47 mpgUS |
| Average fuel economy for midsize cars in the US in 2019 | 12-56 mpgUS |
| Average fuel economy for cars in the UK in 2020 | 95 g/km CO2 emission or less |
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What You'll Learn
Average fuel economy in the US
The average fuel economy for all vehicles in the US has increased over time, from 12.0 miles per gallon (mpg) in 1970 to 16.9 mpg in 2000, a 29% increase. By 2022, the average fuel economy had further increased to 26 mpg, according to EPA data. However, this still fell short of the fuel standard target for that year, which was 40 mpg.
The US introduced fuel economy regulations as early as 1975 with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. These standards define the levels that manufacturers' fleets are required to meet in a given model year, with specific levels depending on the characteristics and mix of vehicles produced. The current CAFE rules call for a fleet-wide vehicle mileage average of 52 mpg by 2026. Automakers can purchase credits from competitors that exceed federal limits to meet these requirements, and electric vehicles (EVs) are given an equivalent of over 100 mpg.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for providing the fuel economy data used to label all new cars and light trucks. This data includes information on vehicle fuel economy and CO2 grams per mile. In 2021, the US administration set a target for electric vehicles to make up 50% of new passenger car and light truck sales by 2030. Despite this, the adoption of electric vehicles has been slow, with only 7% of 2022 vehicles being EVs or plug-in hybrids.
The average fuel economy varies depending on the type of vehicle. For example, Class 8 trucks, which carry heavier loads and travel long distances, have a relatively low fuel economy. Refuse trucks and transit buses also have low fuel economy due to their heavy loads and stop-and-go drive cycles. On the other hand, demand response, delivery trucks, and school buses have a higher fuel economy.
It's worth noting that the US has seen a lapse in fuel consumption reductions in recent years, with fuel consumption increasing by 0.6% between 2018 and 2019. Despite significant improvements since 2005, improvement rates have slowed, and fuel consumption for large SUVs and city cars has increased on average.
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Fuel economy by vehicle type
The average fuel economy for all vehicles in the United States has increased from 12.0 miles per gallon (mpg) in 1970 to 16.9 mpg in 2000, a 29.0% increase. The metric used to measure fuel economy is gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs), which represent the quantity of fuel with the same amount of energy contained in a gallon of gasoline.
The fuel economy of a vehicle is affected by the average miles travelled per year and the vehicle type. For example, Class 8 trucks, which travel long distances carrying heavy loads, have a low fuel economy and consume the largest amount of fuel compared to any other vehicle type. Refuse trucks are the second most inefficient due to their heavy loads and stop-and-go drive cycles. Transit buses are also inefficient due to their drive cycles and heavy loads.
On the other hand, demand response vehicles, delivery trucks, and school buses have a higher fuel economy, which reduces their annual fuel use. These vehicles are owned by individual consumers and use a fraction of the fuel consumed by fleet-based vehicles.
The Federal Highway Administration's 2021 statistics provide insights into the average fuel economy of vehicles in the United States by major vehicle category, including refuse trucks, transit buses, and electric school buses.
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Factors affecting fuel economy
The average fuel economy for all vehicles has increased from 12.0 miles per gallon (mpg) in 1970 to 16.9 mpg in 2000, a 29% increase. The two main factors that affect the average annual fuel use of a vehicle are the average miles travelled per year and the fuel economy of the vehicle. Here are some other factors that affect fuel economy:
Vehicle Maintenance
Regular maintenance such as oil changes, air-filter changes, and spark plug replacements can improve fuel economy. It is also important to use the correct oil to reduce engine friction. In most cases, a synthetic or semi-synthetic oil is best. Additionally, keeping your tires inflated at the regulated PSI reduces the amount of drag your engine must overcome, thus saving fuel.
Driving Habits
Aggressive driving, including hard braking and fast acceleration, can reduce your gas mileage by up to 33% in highway driving. Short trips of only 15 minutes or so can also bring down your fuel economy as your engine works most efficiently when it's fully warmed up. Driving at high speeds creates more air resistance, making your engine work harder and increasing fuel use.
Vehicle Weight
For every 100 pounds of weight in your vehicle, fuel economy decreases by one to two percent. This includes both cargo in your trunk and the number of passengers in your vehicle.
Drive Cycles
Refuse trucks and transit buses have low fuel economy due to their heavy loads and stop-and-go drive cycles. Demand response, delivery trucks, and school buses have higher fuel economies due to their more consistent drive cycles.
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Fuel economy by manufacturer
The average fuel economy for cars has increased over time, from 12.0 miles per gallon (mpg) in 1970 to 16.9 mpg in 2000. More recently, in 2020, the average fuel economy was 27.1 mpg, according to the US EPA's Automotive Trends Report. This report also revealed that Tesla had the best fleetwide fuel economy in 2019 and was expected to continue leading in 2020. The EPA calculates corporate average fuel economy based on gas mileage estimates for each car in a manufacturer's lineup and the number of those cars produced that year.
In terms of fuel economy by manufacturer, the EPA's 2020 Automotive Trends Report provides insights into which manufacturers offer the best gas mileage. From 2014 to 2019, most manufacturers improved their average fuel economy. The biggest improvement during this period was achieved by Kia, which increased its fuel economy from 25.7 mpg to 28.1 mpg. Honda and Hyundai also made significant improvements, with Honda reaching 28.9 mpg and Hyundai achieving 28.5 mpg.
It's worth noting that brands are often grouped together by the same manufacturer. For example, BMW includes Mini and Rolls-Royce, while GM includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC. The EPA separates some affiliated automakers, such as Hyundai and Kia. Additionally, vehicles with different fuel types, like alt-fuel, plug-in, hybrid, and diesel, are all counted in the EPA's ratings. However, smaller manufacturers like Volvo, Aston Martin, and Ferrari are excluded from these ratings.
While the average fuel economy has generally improved, there have been some declines. Between 2014 and 2019, Mazda, Ford, and GM experienced slight decreases in their average fuel economy. Despite these setbacks, the overall trend is positive, and with advancements in technology and a shift towards electrification, it's likely that fuel economy will continue to improve in the coming years.
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Fuel economy by region
The average fuel consumption of a car is typically measured in miles per gallon (mpg). The average fuel economy for all vehicles in the United States increased from 12.0 mpg in 1970 to 16.9 mpg in 2000, a 29% increase.
North America
Standards in North America are currently set between 2018 and 2025. The US government provides a source for fuel economy information, including gas mileage tips, at FuelEconomy.gov. The average fuel economy of vehicles in the United States is measured in gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs), representing a quantity of fuel with the same amount of energy contained in a gallon of gasoline. The average annual fuel use per vehicle is affected by the average miles travelled per year and the fuel economy of the vehicle. Class 8 trucks, which travel long distances carrying heavy loads, consume the most fuel, followed by refuse trucks, which have heavy loads and inefficient stop-and-go drive cycles. Transit buses are also inefficient due to their drive cycles and heavy loads.
Europe
Europe is the only region that has defined fuel economy improvements through to the year 2030. The rapid decline of diesel sales in several major European vehicle markets has been a key driver of average fuel consumption trends. Since 2015, diesel shares have fallen by 5-15 percentage points in the largest EU markets, with electrified LDVs (low-duty vehicles) growing by 1-3 percentage points.
Asia
No Asian country has a standard beyond 2022.
Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI)
The GFEI has set targets for an intermediate improvement of 30% in new LDV fuel economy by 2020 and 50% by 2030. However, the average fuel economy improvement rate between 2015 and 2017 slowed to 1.4% per year, the lowest rate since benchmarking began. More than 20 countries experienced a reversal in the evolution of their fuel economy. Countries with regulations and/or efficiency-based purchase incentives in place improved 60% faster than those without such policies.
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Frequently asked questions
The average fuel consumption for cars in the US in 2021 was 25.4 miles per gallon.
Diesel engines generally achieve greater fuel efficiency than petrol engines. A common margin is 25% more miles per gallon for an efficient turbodiesel.
The average fuel economy for cars in the US has increased over time. It was 12.0 miles per gallon in 1970, 13.4 miles per gallon in 1973, 22.0 miles per gallon in 2002, 23.0 miles per gallon in 2010, and 25.4 miles per gallon in 2020 and 2021.
Electric vehicles, such as those manufactured by Tesla, tend to have higher fuel economy than traditional cars. For example, the Tesla Model 3 had the highest fuel economy in 2021 at 139.1 miles per gallon.
Fuel economy measurements differ between the US and Europe. In Europe, passenger vehicles are tested using two drive cycles, "urban" and "extra-urban", and fuel economy is reported in liters per 100 kilometers. In the US, fuel economy is typically reported in miles per gallon. As a result, EU fuel consumption numbers tend to be lower than US numbers for the same vehicle.
