As carmakers improve the fuel efficiency of some models, many American car buyers are purchasing big trucks and SUVs that still offer low MPGs.
Despite improvements in the fuel efficiency of some vehicles, the average car in the United States did not get more efficient in 2021, reports Sean Tucker for MarketWatch. “The average new vehicle purchased in 2021 managed 25.4 mpg—the same figure as 2020.”
As Tucker explains, this is because the car buying choices made by many Americans are canceling out any gains made by cleaner, more efficient engines. “Truck-based SUVs made up 45% of the market in 2021, the EPA says. More efficient sedans and wagons — 50% of the market as recently as 2013 — fell to just 26%.”
The EPA expressed optimism that gains in efficiency will pick up next year. “Though 2021 saw flat lines or modest improvements, the EPA estimates that 2022’s numbers will be better” as electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles, which are expected to rise from 4 percent of production to 8 percent in 2022, become more popular.
FULL STORY: Americans’ car choices are canceling out fuel efficiency gains
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
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HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research