U.S. auto fleet fuel efficiency flat in 2021 as Detroit Three lag (updated)
12/12/2022 20:44
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By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. new vehicle
automotive fleet's fuel efficiency was flat in the 2021 model
year as automakers sold more sport utility vehicles and pickup
trucks compared to cars, while the Detroit Three lagged behind
foreign competitors and Tesla.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Monday the
fleetwide real-world average was 25.4 miles per gallon in the
2021 model year, the same as in 2020. The EPA estimates the 2022
fleetwide efficiency average will rise to 26.4 mpg.
Automakers are meeting rising vehicle emissions requirements
in part through using credits earned in prior years or by buying
excess credits from rivals.
Chrysler-parent Stellantis STLA.MI had the lowest fuel
economy among all automakers at 21.3 mpg in 2021, while General
Motors GM.N was 21.6 mpg and Ford Motor F.N at 22.9 mpg.
The three U.S. automakers had the lowest fleet-wide fuel
economy of 14 major car companies, while EV manufacturer Tesla
led all automakers with the equivalent of 123.9 mpg.
Subaru 9778.T was second among automakers behind Tesla
with a 28.8 mpg average followed by Kia 000270.KS at 28.7 mpg
and Nissan 7201.T 28.6 mpg.
The report showed Stellantis led all automakers in buying
emissions credits and acquired 102.6 million megagrams of
credits in the 2021 model year, while Tesla TSLA.O sold 72
million. General Motors purchased 28.3 million credits and
Mercedes Benz MBGn.DE while Honda 7267.T sold 50.5 million
credits and Toyota 7203.T 38.9 million.
The EPA said new vehicle carbon dioxide average emissions in
2021 fell by 0.6% to a record low of 347 grams per mile.
In 2013, sedans and wagons accounted for 50% of U.S. sales
but in 2021 fell to just 26% of sales. Truck-based SUVs reached
a record 45% of U.S. sales and pickups increased to 16% of U.S.
auto sales last year.
Stellantis said the data does "not reflect our current or
future product plan" and noted it has announced a $35 billion
investment in electrification and related software to bring 25
battery-electric vehicles to the U.S. market by 2030.
Dan Becker, director of the Center for Biological
Diversity’s Safe Climate Transport Campaign said the auto
industry is not achieving the 5% annual emissions reductions
that regulators targeted in 2012.
"Automakers won’t slash pollution and improve gas mileage
unless strong standards make them do so," Becker said.
The EPA in March plans to propose even more stringent
vehicle emissions rules through at least 2030 after last year
finalizing new light-duty tailpipe emissions requirements
through the 2026 model year that reversed then-President Donald
Trump's rollback of car pollution cuts.
Average new vehicle weight and horsepower both hit new
records in 2021 with average vehicle weight hitting 4,289 pounds
in 2021 as SUV and truck sales rise and both are forecast to hit
new records in 2022.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Josie Kao)
((David.Shepardson@thomsonreuters.com; 2028988324;))