For the 2014 model year, midsize hybrid cars averaged 43.4 miles per gallon (mpg) while midsize non-hybrid cars averaged 28.7 mpg; the difference between the two has narrowed due to the rising average fuel economy of the non-hybrids and a slight decline in the hybrid fuel economy. The Toyota Prius was the only hybrid in the midsize segment in 2004, and had a fuel economy above 45 mpg. As the years progressed, other midsize hybrid cars were introduced with fuel economies lower than the Prius. The average fuel economy of midsize hybrid cars appears more erratic than midsize non-hybrid cars because there are fewer hybrid models and lower sales volumes.
Average Fuel Economy of New Midsize Cars – Hybrid vs. Non-hybrid, 2000-2014
Notes:
- Data do not include light trucks or cars of other size classes.
- Data on non-hybrid midsize cars are for gasoline cars only.
- Fuel economy average is the production-weighted harmonic mean.
- 2014 data are preliminary.
Supporting Information
Model Year | Non-hybrid | Hybrid |
---|---|---|
(Miles per Gallon) | ||
2000 | 22.0 | No hybrids |
2001 | 22.1 | No hybrids |
2002 | 22.3 | No hybrids |
2003 | 22.9 | No hybrids |
2004 | 23.0 | 46.6 |
2005 | 23.6 | 42.8 |
2006 | 23.6 | 44.7 |
2007 | 24.4 | 40.9 |
2008 | 23.9 | 42.5 |
2009 | 25.0 | 39.5 |
2010 | 25.1 | 46.8 |
2011 | 25.8 | 44.5 |
2012 | 26.9 | 42.0 |
2013 | 28.2 | 41.4 |
2014 | 28.7 | 43.4 |
Source: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2014, EPA-420-R-14-023, October 2014. |