Penton’s WardsAuto has announced the release of its first annual WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index: State of the Industry report. The study found that average light vehicle fleet fuel economy in the U.S. achieved a record high of 24 miles-per-gallon (9.8 L/100 km) in 2012.
The results represent a full mile-per-gallon improvement over the 2011 figures and showed that changes in consumer buying habits and new technology are contributing significantly to gains in overall fuel economy.
The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Report features data from the company’s Fuel Economy Index (FEI), which uses model-line car and light truck sales, engine installation rates and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) window-sticker fuel economy rankings to calculate relative average fuel economy across brands, segments and power types.
The 2012 gain in fuel economy was the largest year-to-year improvement in the history of the FEI, which has risen every year since its inception in 2008. The 4.3 per cent gain eclipsed the 3.2 per cent jump in 2009 that accompanied that year’s government-sponsored “Cash-for-Clunkers” program, designed to entice consumers into trading in older model cars and light trucks for newer ones.
The 2012 results also represent a 14.3 per cent improvement over the index rating established in Q4 2007, the Index Base Period (IBP).
Details of the full report can be accessed at: wardsauto.com/fueleconomy.
