Average Fuel Economy Stagnates in Model-Year 2014

According to a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency, fuel economy for all 2014 model-year vehicles hit an average of 24.3 mpg. That’s unchanged from the previous year, although the average fuel economy increased quite a bit just among trucks.

Model-year 2014 passenger cars remained at 27.9 mpg while light trucks increased 0.6 mpg to a new record high of 20.4 mpg. Meanwhile, C02 emissions have decreased alongside the gains in fuel economy. Emissions from vehicles have plummeted 21 percent in the U.S. since the 2004 model year.

Despite all the talk of lightweight vehicles, the report indicates that vehicle weight actually increased compared to the previous model year. The average 2014 vehicle weighed 4,060 pounds, up a whopping 57 pounds from 2013. Part of that jump can be attributed to a 5-percent increase in the share of trucks among overall vehicle production levels for 2014. Still, among cars only, weight increased by an average of 0.5 percent.

They may be heavier, and an average of 0.6 square-feet bigger than last year, but new vehicles are also more powerful. Model-year 2014 vehicles hit an average of 230 hp, up 4 hp from the previous year. This power output ties the all-time high we saw back in 2011. Meanwhile, the EPA says that 0-60 times remain essentially unchanged.

Which automakers achieved the highest average fuel economy for 2014? Mazda topped the list at 29.4 mpg, followed by Subaru (27.6) and Hyundai (27.5). Honda (27.3) and Nissan (27.0) round out the top five.

The EPA also made several projections for the 2015 model year in its report. Early estimates indicate that fuel economy will average 24.7 mpg among all vehicles. Meanwhile, the EPA also examined projections for how much market share certain vehicle technologies will achieve for 2015. CVTs and transmissions with six or more speeds are expected to dramatically increase to dominate 94 percent of the market in 2015. Meanwhile, hybrids will lose market share compared to levels seen in model-year 2010.

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Source: EPA

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