Rajan Wilcox
Fuel economy is a key consideration for consumers when choosing a vehicle. Manufacturers provide estimates of fuel economy, but these may not always be accurate in real-world driving conditions. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides official US government information on fuel economy, it does not test every new vehicle for fuel efficiency. Instead, it relies on automakers' provided estimates, with only about 10% of vehicles being tested, mostly selected randomly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also plays a role in regulating Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and providing information on manufacturers' compliance with fuel efficiency programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who do car companies report their fuel economy numbers to? | The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
| Who sets the standards for fuel economy? | NHTSA sets Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks. |
| How often are the standards updated? | NHTSA proposed new CAFE standards for 2027-2031 for light-duty vehicles and 2030-2035 for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans. |
| What is the purpose of fuel economy standards? | To reduce fuel consumption, decrease emissions, and lower costs for consumers. |
| How do car companies test fuel economy? | Each manufacturer tests its own vehicles. The EPA uses a simulator called a dynamometer to get accurate fuel economy numbers. |
| Are there any websites that provide fuel economy information? | Yes, FuelEconomy.gov is the official U.S. government source for fuel economy information. Other websites like Edmunds and Consumer Reports also provide fuel economy data. |
| How accurate are the reported fuel economy numbers? | There may be discrepancies between reported fuel economy ratings and real-world driving numbers due to various factors such as driving style, weather conditions, vehicle maintenance, and road conditions. |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel economy ratings
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulating and providing information on fuel economy. The EPA's website, FuelEconomy.gov, serves as the official source for fuel economy information, offering details on gas mileage, emissions, and greenhouse gas estimates for new and used cars and trucks. The EPA uses a simulator called the dynamometer to assess fuel economy, with “city” and “highway” settings to account for different driving conditions. While the EPA does conduct tests on some vehicles, for the majority, they rely on the estimates provided by the automakers themselves.
To ensure compliance with fuel economy standards, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. These standards dictate how far a vehicle must travel on a gallon of fuel and apply to passenger cars and light trucks, as well as medium and heavy-duty trucks and engines. NHTSA also regulates the fuel economy window stickers on new vehicles, providing consumers with transparent information about a vehicle's fuel efficiency.
The rebound effect is a notable phenomenon observed in fuel economy. As fuel efficiency improves, people tend to drive their cars more, which can offset some of the fuel savings and emissions reductions. Despite this, improvements in fuel efficiency have had a positive environmental impact. According to the National Academies Report, a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency leads to a 1-2% increase in travel distance, resulting in an overall reduction of CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles.
Additionally, independent organizations like Consumer Reports and Edmunds provide real-world fuel economy numbers based on extensive testing. These organizations offer valuable insights for consumers, helping them make informed decisions about their vehicle purchases.
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Real-world driving numbers
While shopping for a car, car manufacturers will provide an estimate for fuel economy. However, these numbers may not always be accurate and may not hold up in real-world driving conditions. For instance, some drivers have noticed discrepancies between the fuel economy ratings and the car's actual mileage.
Websites like Edmunds and Consumer Reports include real-world numbers with each car they review. Edmunds conducts long-term testing to record "real-world" fuel consumption. Their test vehicles are driven by a different driver each month, and the best and worst mileage are recorded. Edmunds found that the average miles per gallon for every vehicle was lower than the low end of the EPA's estimate. However, it is important to note that the vehicles were driven mainly on city streets with frequent stops and starts, which can impact fuel economy.
Factors such as traffic congestion, frequent stops, quick acceleration, high speeds, or mountainous terrain can negatively impact fuel economy and are not always replicated in laboratory tests. Other factors that can influence real-world fuel consumption include driver behaviour, road conditions, landscape, ambient temperature, use of air-conditioning, and on-board electronics. For example, aggressive drivers will have lower fuel economy than those with a more conservative approach.
In addition, the type of vehicle and its specifications can impact real-world fuel economy. Cars with electric powertrains or hybrid vehicles that use electric power at low speeds tend to have better fuel economy in city driving conditions. However, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have been found to have higher real-world CO2 emissions than laboratory values, as they are not being charged and driven electrically as frequently as anticipated.
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Fuel efficiency standards
The NHTSA has been continuously working to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel use since the 1970s. The latest CAFE standards for model years 2024-2026 are expected to reduce fuel use by over 200 billion gallons by 2050, compared to the previous standards. These new standards will also provide significant cost savings for American families, with new car drivers in 2026 expected to fill up their tanks only three times for every four trips that require refuelling today.
While the NHTSA does not consider electric and alternative fuels when setting standards, manufacturers are allowed to use all available technologies, including advanced internal combustion engines, hybrid technologies, and electric vehicles, for compliance. This flexibility in technology choices encourages the industry to continue improving the fuel economy of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, even as the transportation sector transitions to electrification.
It is important to note that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not test every new vehicle for fuel efficiency. The EPA relies on automakers' provided estimates for the majority of cars, and only a small percentage of vehicles are randomly selected for testing using a simulator called the dynamometer. This simulator helps to determine the most accurate fuel economy numbers for both city and highway driving conditions.
The fuel efficiency standards set by the NHTSA and the EPA aim to balance various factors, including cost savings for consumers, environmental concerns, and the need to reduce reliance on foreign oil. These standards have a significant impact on the automobile industry, influencing the development and marketing of vehicles, as well as the overall driving experience and costs for consumers.
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Fuel economy targets
Fuel economy is a key consideration for consumers when choosing a vehicle. Manufacturers report their fuel economy numbers to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These agencies have established Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which regulate how far vehicles must travel on a gallon of fuel.
The NHTSA sets different CAFE standards for passenger cars, light trucks, and medium- to heavy-duty trucks and engines. They also regulate the fuel economy window stickers on new vehicles, providing information to consumers about the fuel efficiency of different models. The EPA conducts tests on vehicles to assess their fuel efficiency and provides estimates for fuel economy on their website, FuelEconomy.gov. However, it is important to note that the EPA does not test every new vehicle, and for the majority of cars, they rely on the estimates provided by the automakers themselves.
To comply with CAFE standards, automakers may need to improve the fuel efficiency of their fleets. This can be achieved through various technologies, including hybrid or plug-in hybrid systems, or other fuel-saving innovations. Some manufacturers, particularly those with a small US market share and expensive, high-performance vehicles, choose to pay CAFE penalties rather than meet the standards. For example, in 2012, Jaguar (Land Rover) and Volvo did not meet CAFE requirements and paid fines totalling $15 million for the year.
While fuel economy targets are important for reducing emissions and fuel consumption, it is worth noting that real-world driving conditions can vary significantly from the test conditions used to establish these targets. Factors such as driving style, weather, tire pressure, towing weight, and engine type can all impact a vehicle's fuel economy, and these may not be fully captured in standardized tests. As a result, some drivers may find that their fuel economy numbers are lower than the advertised estimates, while others may exceed them.
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Fuel economy window stickers
When shopping for a car, consumers rely on the manufacturer's estimates for fuel economy, which are usually displayed on window stickers. These estimates are based on certain assumptions, such as the national average price of fuel, and are intended to give buyers an idea of the vehicle's fuel efficiency and annual fuel costs. However, as gas prices fluctuate, these estimates can quickly become outdated, leading to misleading information on window stickers.
The discrepancies in fuel economy numbers can also be attributed to various factors, including driving style, weather conditions, vehicle maintenance, and road conditions. For instance, aggressive drivers tend to have lower fuel economy due to rapid acceleration and frequent braking. Similarly, external factors such as low tire pressure, towing trailers, or driving in harsh weather conditions can impact a vehicle's fuel efficiency.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulating fuel economy and providing consumers with information. The EPA's website, FuelEconomy.gov, offers detailed fuel economy data, tips to improve fuel efficiency, and tools to compare different vehicles. While the EPA conducts tests to validate fuel economy numbers, they only physically test about 10% of new vehicles, relying on automaker-provided estimates for the majority of cars.
To make informed decisions, consumers are advised to refer to multiple sources of information, including online resources and reviews from independent organizations. Websites like Edmunds and Consumer Reports provide real-world fuel economy numbers and consider various factors that can affect a vehicle's fuel efficiency. By combining manufacturer estimates with independent assessments and considering their own driving habits and conditions, consumers can make more accurate predictions about a vehicle's fuel economy.
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Frequently asked questions
Car companies report their fuel economy numbers to the NHTSA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA provides gas mileage, safety, air pollution, and greenhouse gas estimates for new and used cars and trucks.
The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) is a set of standards that regulate how far vehicles must travel on a gallon of fuel. The NHTSA sets CAFE standards for passenger cars and light trucks (light-duty vehicles) and sets fuel consumption standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and engines.
Each manufacturer tests its own vehicles. The EPA uses a simulator called the dynamometer to get accurate fuel economy numbers. The "city" setting assumes the engine is started cold and will experience frequent idling in congested traffic. The "highway" setting assumes the engine is warmed up and will make no stops.
