New vehicles achieved an all-time-high fuel economy in 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said.
Model year 2013 vehicles achieved an average of 24.1 miles per gallon (mpg) – a 0.5 mpg increase over the previous year and an increase of nearly 5 mpg since 2004. Fuel economy has now increased in eight of the last nine years. The average carbon dioxide emissions are also at a record low of 369 grams per mile in model year 2013.
EPA’s annual “Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2014” report tracks average fuel economy of new cars and SUVs in the U.S. The report also ranks automakers’ achievements in model year 2013.
Some additional top-line findings from the report:
- The recent fuel economy improvement is a result of automakers’ rapid adoption of more efficient technologies.
- Mazda vehicles averaged the highest fuel economy and lowest greenhouse gas emissions.
- Nissan achieved the greatest improvement in average fuel economy and greenhouse gas reductions.
Published in the December 2014 Edition of American Recycler News