Fuel Efficiency

The EPA has enacted standards taking effect for the 2027 model year, applying to heavy-duty trucks, buses, and vans. But in some respects they're weaker than what California has drafted.

Real-world fuel economy of light-duty vehicles sold in the U.S. remained flat for the 2021 model year, at 25.4 mpg, according to the report, and the shift to SUVs plus relaxed Trump-era fleet rules may be to blame for this.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting economic uncertainties have accelerated the timeline—leading to more spending on renewables, cleaner EVs, and a "historic turning point," the authority anticipates.

While New York, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts and others have signed on, Minnesota is a maybe and Virginia's governor is reportedly calling the policy "ludicrous."

The EPA recently announced the levying of millions of dollars in fines against companies for selling equipment designed to circumvent pollution controls, illegal under the Clean Air Act.

The automakers face off versus a coalition of 17 state governments opposing a significant portion of the auto industry and rallying for greater emissions

One in 10 U.S. drivers burn 32% of gasoline used in U.S. light-duty vehicles, and these users burn more gasoline than the bottom 60% of drivers combined.

The Sportage Hybrid has recently been rated at up to 43 mpg—beating the most efficient versions of all its hybrid rivals without a charge port.

Well-timed signals can have a significant impact on emissions—equivalent to the CO2 absorbed by a forest 3.3 times the size of Atlanta, according to Inrix.

The mpg standards are a step steeper than an original proposal. Arriving at an effective 49 mpg, they boost fleet efficiency by 8% to 10% annually for model years 2023-2026.

It's been a long time coming. Enforcement had been delayed after automaker lobbying, triggering a lawsuit from California.

Gas prices are fueling a run on high-mpg models, and to some degree on EVs—and it's exaggerating the supply issues already present this year.

Producers argue that the new rules exceed the EPA's authority because they effectively force automakers to produce electric cars

Environmental groups claim the EPA's proposed standards should do more to encourage deployment of electric trucks.

Here are the widely available cars only fueled by gasoline that achieve 50 mpg combined or more based on EPA ratings. They all start under $30,000.

So much of the responsibility for CO2 reductions is falling on the auto industry. Should more of it rest on the oil industry?

By 2026, under stricter rules now written into rulemaking, the EPA anticipates that just 7% of the new vehicle fleet will have “strong hybrid” powertrains, and EVs and plug-in hybrids combined will make up just 17%.

The first version of the Hummer EV "electric supertruck" is too portly for EPA range and efficiency ratings. But GM is releasing them anyway.

Even as the Biden administration prepares for tighter fleet fuel economy standards, automakers' bank of credits could stifle innovation and lower the actual mpg average.

Given typical driving patterns, there isn't a single gasoline vehicle you can buy today that, on a national basis, promises to be cleaner than an all-electric one.