Light Truck Fuel Economy on the Rise

The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index indicates the average fuel economy of light vehicles sold in the U.S. in August was 25.4 mpg (9.3 L/100 km), down 0.2% from same-month 2016.

The national average gasoline price was $2.494, 3.3% higher than in July and 9.2% above year-ago. Standard gasoline-powered vehicles accounted for 96.4% of indexed sales, down slightly from 96.6% in like-2016. All electrified powertrains showed small upticks in share.

Cars sold in the month averaged 30.1 mpg (7.8 L/100 km), down 0.8% from prior-year due to a small decline in the share of battery-electric and hybrid models.

Domestically built cars (29.8 mpg [7.9 L/100 km]) declined 0.5%, while imports (30.8 mpg [7.6 L/100 km]) rated 1.5% below year-ago.

Light trucks scored 22.6 mpg (10.4 L/100 km) on the index, a 2.1% gain on prior-year. A higher proportion of electric vehicles in this section of the market helped the average move up.

Domestic light trucks (21.9 mpg [10.7 L/100 km]) improved 2.1%, and the rating for imports (25.0 mpg [9.4 L/100 km]) rose 1.8%.

The luxury-car segment showed the greatest decline from prior-year, down 1.1% to 28.1 mpg (8.4 L/100 km). Vans showed the biggest gain, 3.2%, but accounted for only 4.5% of indexed LVs.

Honda set a new high, growing 1.1% from year-ago to 29.2 mpg (8.1 L/100 km) with a bump in the sales of small body styles and hybrid powertrains.

Year-to-date, the average index rating sat at 23.7 mpg (9.9 L/100 km), up 0.1% from same-period 2016.

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