U.S. Fuel Economy Fell in November

The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index indicates the average fuel economy of light vehicles sold in the U.S. in November was 25.0 mpg (9.4 L/100 km), resulting in the only year-over-year decline of 2015 and the greatest drop since August 2010, as the rating slipped 0.4%.

The national average gasoline price was $2.26 per gallon in November, the second-lowest monthly price since March 2011 (January 2015 averaged $2.208). The market share of standard gasoline vehicles reached 95.8%, a percentage unsurpassed in over four years.

Nearly all alternative-power vehicles lost share from like-2014. Volkswagen’s diesel powertrain controversy was a significant factor in the power type’s take rate hitting a 5-year low. Hybrid vehicles slipped just below 2% of sales for the first time since October 2011. Plug-in hybrid share was flat from year-ago, saved by higher sales of the Chevrolet Volt and the Ford Fusion and Porsche Cayenne PHEV variants.

Despite fuel-economy improvements in many models for the new model year, consumer preference for larger vehicles – now more affordable with low gas prices – moved the light-vehicle index rating down.

Cars sold in the month averaged 29.4 mpg (8.0 L/100 km), up 0.4% from November 2014. All segment groups lost share from year-ago, but midsize cars saw the greatest decline and were the only car segment to score a lower rating, down 1.5%.

CUVs have pulled many shoppers away from cars, thus increasing the share of light trucks to 59.3% of index-tracked sales, the second-highest result of any month. CUVs hit a record high share, 32.2%, and maintained a peak index rating of 24.1 mpg (9.8 L/100 km), 1.8% above year-ago. Vans, which covered only 5.8% of sales, were the sole light-truck segment to score below prior-year, 2.5%. Overall, light trucks averaged 21.8 mpg (10.8 L/100 km) in November, 1.7% above like-2014.

Some automakers were able to contradict the general market trends to reach best-ever index results. The XC90 plug-in boosted Volvo to 22.7 mpg (10.3 L/100 km). Mazda crept closer to the 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) benchmark, hitting 29.6 mpg (7.9 L/100 km). Honda scored 28.3 mpg (8.3 L/100 km), up 3.2% from year-ago.

Year-to-date, the Fuel Economy Index average was 25.3 mpg (9.3 L/100 km), 0.9% above same-period 2014.

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