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Basic Information

Overview

EPA is responsible for providing the fuel economy data that is used on the fuel economy label (or window sticker) on all new cars and light trucks. In addition, the data is used by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to publish the annual Fuel Economy Guide, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to administer the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect Gas Guzzler taxes. The test data is derived from vehicle testing done at EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and by vehicle manufacturers who submit their own test data to EPA.


Fuel Economy and Environment Labels

Every new car and light-duty truck sold in the United States is required to have a fuel economy label. The label (or "window sticker") contains the miles-per-gallon estimates that are designed to help consumers compare and shop for vehicles. EPA, in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has updated the label to incorporate new information required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, such as new ratings on fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, and other air pollutant emissions. The goal of the updated label is to enable easy and well-informed comparisons across all vehicles and vehicle technologies, including electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and gasoline/diesel vehicles. The new label will appear on 2013 model year vehicles. For more information on the fuel economy label see:


Fuel Economy Test Methods

In 2006, EPA revised the test methods used to determine fuel economy estimates (city and highway) appearing on window stickers of all new cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. effective with 2008 model year vehicles.

 


Fuel Economy Guide

The Fuel Economy Guide is an annual publication containing the fuel economy estimates for all cars and light trucks. The guide includes much more information than appears on the window sticker alone. It includes information about alternative fueled vehicles, the range of fuel economy for different classes of vehicles, a list of fuel economy leaders, and tips for improving fuel economy. The guide is published jointly by the Department of Energy and EPA. Additionally, EPA publishes lists of the vehicle models with the highest and lowest fuel economy estimates every year. Below are the lists for the 2012 model year Fuel Economy Guide.

This page is maintained by EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ).
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