The relationship between gallons used over a given distance and miles per gallon (mpg) is not linear. Thus, an increase in fuel economy by 5 mpg does not translate to a constant fuel savings amount. Trading a low-mpg car or truck for one with just slightly better mpg will save more fuel than trading a high-mpg car or truck for one that is even higher. For example, trading a truck that gets 10 mpg for a new one that gets 15 mpg will save 33 gallons of fuel for every 1,000 miles driven. In contrast, trading a 30 mpg car for a new car that gets 35 mpg will save 5 gallons of fuel for every 1,000 miles driven.
Fuel Use versus Fuel Economy
Note: Each category on the horizontal axis shows a five-mile per gallon improvement in fuel economy.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, Fuel Economy Guide.
Supporting Information
Fuel Economy (miles per gallon) | Gallons Per 1,000 Miles | Difference in Gallons Used from One MPG Category to the Next |
---|---|---|
5 | 200.0 | |
10 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
15 | 66.7 | 33.3 |
20 | 50.0 | 16.7 |
25 | 40.0 | 10.0 |
30 | 33.3 | 6.7 |
35 | 28.6 | 4.7 |
40 | 25.0 | 3.6 |
45 | 22.2 | 2.8 |
50 | 20.0 | 2.2 |
55 | 18.2 | 1.8 |
60 | 16.7 | 1.5 |
Source: U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, Fuel Economy Guide. |