EPA Report: U.S. Cars Achieve Record High Fuel Economy And Low Emission Levels As Companies Fully Comply With Standards

Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Sales Poised to Grow, Projections Show

WASHINGTON (Nov. 19, 2021) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual Automotive Trends Report which shows the model year 2020 vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy and record low emission levels. Large automotive manufacturers also achieved full compliance with greenhouse gas emission standards. Projections indicate sales of hybrid and electric vehicles will more than double from 2020 to 2021, according to the report.

“Today’s report is a great indicator that automakers are following through with their promise of achieving clean car standards while providing consumers with great vehicle options,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I am optimistic that the innovation and marketing power of the auto industry, coupled with President Biden’s unprecedented support for a zero-emissions future, will accelerate cleaner technologies, sharply cutting pollution to meet the climate challenge.”

Key Highlights

• Since the model year 2004, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have decreased by 24 percent as fuel economy has increased by 32 percent.
• CO₂ emissions for the average 2020 model year vehicle fell to 349 grams per mile (g/mi), the lowest ever measured, and seven g/mi slower than the average for the model year 2019.
• Average Fuel Economy for the model year 2020 vehicles increased to a record 25.4 miles per gallon (mpg), 0.5 mpg more than the average for the model year 2019.
• Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles are poised to grow but are currently at low adoption levels. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for 2 percent of all production, and hybrids 5 percent. In the projected the model year 2021 data, those categories are estimated to grow to 4 percent and 9 percent of all production.

In August, President Biden signed an Executive Order that sets an ambitious new target to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles, including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles. At the same time, EPA proposed a new rulemaking under the Clean Air Act that by 2026 would establish the strongest greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and light duty trucks in history.