Fact #812: January 13, 2014 The Number of Models Achieving 40 MPG or More is Increasing Rapidly

For the 2009 model year, there were only two models that achieved a combined EPA rating of 40 MPG or higher. By the 2013 model year, that number rose to 30 models. In 2009, the only two models with a combined rating of 40 MPG or higher were conventional hybrids with a top fuel economy of 46 MPG. In 2013, the models that met or exceeded 40 MPG include conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all electric vehicles, seven of which exceed 100 MPGe*. It is also noteworthy that by the 2013 model year, the vehicles that achieved a combined average of 40 MPG or more represent a wide variety of size classes including midsize and large sedans as well as station wagons and an SUV.

Models Offered with EPA Combined Rating of 40 MPG or More for Model Years, 2009, 2011, and 2013
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* MPGe – Miles per Gallon equivalent, is a unit used by the EPA for electric vehicles to make their efficiency ratings directly comparable to gasoline-powered vehicles. The conversion rate used by the EPA is 33.705 kW-hrs of electricity equals the energy contained in one gallon of gasoline.

Supporting Information

Models Offered with EPA Combined Rating of 40 MPG or More for Model Years, 2009, 2011, and 2013
Make/Model2009 2011 2013
Combined
MPG or
MPG(e)
Class Combined
MPG or
MPG(e)
Class Combined
MPG or
MPG(e)
Class
BMW Active E   102Subcompact   
Toyota Prius46Midsize 50Midsize 50Midsize
Honda Civic Hybrid42Compact 41Compact 44Compact
Nissan Leaf   99Midsize 115Midsize
Chevrolet Volt   60**Compact 62**Compact
smart fortwo electric drive coupe   87Two-seater 107Two-seater
smart fortwo electric drive convertible   87Two-seater 107Two-seater
Lexus CT 200h   42Compact 42Compact
Honda Insight   41Compact 42Compact
Scion iQ EV      121Minicompact
Honda Fit EV      118Small Station Wagon
Fiat 500e      116Minicompact
Mitsubishi i-MiEV      112Subcompact
Ford Focus      105Compact
Tesla Model S (40 kW-hr battery pack      94Large
Tesla Model S (60 kW-hr battery pack)      95Large
Tesla Model S (85 kW-hr battery pack)      89Large
Toyota RAV4 EV      76Small SUV
CODA      73Subcompact
Toyota Prius c      80Compact
Toyota Prius v      42Midsize Station Wagon
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid      58**Midsize
Ford Fusion Hybrid      44Midsize
Ford Fusion Energi      58**Midsize
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid      45Midsize
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid      45Compact
Ford C-MAX Hybrid      43Large
Ford C-MAX Energi      58**Midsize
Toyota Camry Hybrid      40Midsize
Lexus ES 300h      40Midsize
Toyota Avalon Hybrid      40Midsize
         
MODELS OFFERED2 9 30
**For plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the EPA's blended gasoline and electric combined average is used.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fueleconomy.gov website accessed on November 13, 2013.

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