EPA report: US fuel economy marks a new record high; CO2 emissions reach record lows, and all large manufacturers meet greenhouse gas standards

Summary:

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its annual Automotive Trends Report, showcasing a record high in model year 2022 vehicle fuel economy and a record low in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The report highlights that all 14 large manufacturers are in compliance with the light-duty greenhouse gas program requirements. Key findings include:

A 0.6 mpg increase in average fuel economy from MY 2021-22, the biggest annual improvement in the last nine years
A 3% decrease in average estimated real-world CO2 emission rate, reaching the lowest level ever reported
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles contributing to a 22-gram per mile reduction in CO2 emissions and a 1.2 mpg improvement in fuel economy
The combined category of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles increasing from 4% to 7% of production between MY 2021 and MY 2022, and projected to reach 12% in MY 2023.

This report demonstrates the progress made by the industry in reducing climate pollution and other harmful emissions, and highlights the importance of continued innovation and development of sustainable technologies.