October U.S. Fuel Economy Index at 10-Month Low

The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index rating for light vehicles sold in the U.S. was 24.8 mpg (9.5 L/100 km) in October, up 0.5% from same-month 2013 and 18.3% better than the base score of fourth-quarter 2007. The result was the lowest monthly outcome since December 2013.

The national average gasoline price hit a 45-month low of $3.255 per gallon last month. The October figure was 6.6% below September, leading to the biggest month-to-month drop since December 2012. This marks the fourth consecutive monthly decrease. Even though fuel prices dropped, the share of gasoline-powered vehicles showed a slight decrease to 94.1% from 94.3% the month before.

Diesel prices also hit a 45-month low, with a national average of $3.681. Although the rating of diesel-powered vehicles for the month (29.9 mpg [7.9 L/100 km]) was low for the year, a gain in market share slightly lifted the market average.

While power-type choice wasn’t a primary factor in the index rating drop, a shift toward heavier, less fuel-efficient body styles brought the October average down. For example, the share of SUVs and pickups grew significantly from the previous month.

The index rating for cars came to 29.2 mpg (8.1 L/100 km), 1.3% above the same month of 2013, but 0.9% below the prior month. The shift to less fuel-efficient segments affected light trucks more, resulting in a 0.7% uptick from October 2013 and a 1.5% decline from September 2014.

Every vehicle segment showed a decline from the previous month, but the lowest-rated segment in each vehicle type saw the greatest drop. Large cars fell 1.9% to 22.4 mpg (10.5 L/100 km). Pickup trucks sank 3.1% to 17.3 mpg (13.6 L/100 km). Both segments hit their lowest point since October 2013.

BMW reached a record-high 28.0 mpg (8.4 L/100 km), boosted by reduction in the share of larger, gas-powered vehicles. Sales of the i8 plug-in hybrid car continued to bring up the automaker’s average. The brand's share of diesel vehicles doubled due to increased sales of the diesel variants of the 3-Series and 5-Series.

Mitsubishi continued to be the top-rated automaker (excluding electric-only Tesla), but its 29.6 mpg (7.9 L/100 km) outcome was the lowest since April.

Kia was the most improved from September, up 3.9%, with the introduction of the Soul EV.

Year-to-date, the index rating sat at 25.2 mpg (9.3 L/100 km), 2.0% above the same period in 2013.

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