US Fuel Economy Hits All-Time High, CO2 Emissions Record Low

New vehicles achieved an all-time-high fuel economy in 2013, according to an EPA report.

Model year 2013 vehicles achieved an average of 24.1 miles per gallon — 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.

The 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 sold in the US. The report also ranks automakers’ achievements in model year 2013.

Some key findings:

• The recent fuel economy improvement is a result of automakers’ rapid adoption of more efficient technologies such as gasoline direct injection engines, turbochargers and advanced transmissions.
• 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.
• SUVs achieved the greatest improvement in all classes of new personal vehicles.

Under President Obama’s leadership, the EPA and the Department of Transportation have implemented standards projected to double fuel economy by 2025 and cut vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by half.