Posted on April 15, 2022 by Rick Griffith

Have you ever thought about buying a fuel-efficient vehicle? With gas prices soaring and the rising cost of living, who isn’t looking for some way to save more, spend less, and still get to live and play?

One of the best options available today for consumers is to purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle. But if you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help.

The first step to any well-laid plan is research, which we hope you find here today, how to buy smarter by purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle that will help you and your family save by making fewer trips to the gas station. 

What is a Smart Vehicle Buy?

When it comes to buying a vehicle, we can all hope to get a great deal. But, in reality, the most critical factor for many car shoppers is purchasing a fuel-efficient car. The thing is that most cars today reflect fuel mileage whether you buy new or used.

If you plan to buy a vehicle that gets the best fuel efficiency in town and on the highway, or you’re looking for a hybrid with exceptional fuel economy, it’s essential first to understand the difference between the two, which is where we begin.

Fuel Economy Labels

If you walk onto car dealership lots today, most fuel economy labels appear somewhere on a vehicle’s windows. Often near the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price sticker, better known as the vehicle’s MSRP. 

The vital information on the fuel economy Label is a weighted average, split between 55% ofl your driving in the city and 45% of your time spent driving on highways or interstates.

Fuel Efficiency Requirements and Standards

Requirements on fuel economy labels come from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). These two U. S. agencies publish “final rulemaking” on “Revisions and Additions to Motor Vehicle Fuel Economy Label.”

Although the “National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, is responsible for enforcing vehicle performance standards and partnering with state and local governments.” The NHTSA’s chief responsibility is to manage and enforce the final standards on the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, enacted in 1975 by Congress.

Earlier this month, the NHTSA and the DOT announced new economic fuel standards for American automakers to extend the average vehicle fuel economy to 49 miles per gallon by 2026. 

Fuel-Efficient Vehicles 

What you see on fuel economy labels on vehicles for sale today depends on whether the engine runs on gasoline, diesel, or some advanced technology, such as electricity and fossil fuel, or just powered by electricity, or even the renewable energy fuel, ethanol. 

Fossil Fuel Engines

The information on the fuel economy convention for gasoline or diesel vehicles in 2021 should provide you with insight into that specific vehicle model’s fuel economy. The most prominent information provided on that label will be the Fuel Economy estimate on the combined miles per gallon between the city and interstate driving.

The additional information provided on the fuel economy label for these vehicle types is below.

• Comparable Fuel Economy
• Fuel Consumption Rate
• Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Rating
• CO2 Emissions Information
• Smog Rating
• Fuel Cost Over Five Years
• Estimated Annual Fuel Cost

The last two items will provide you with a web address to fueleconomy.gov to compare different vehicles and an interactive QR Code that can be accessed immediately using a smartphone.

Advanced Technology Engines

The same information will be available on fuel economy labels found on vehicles classified as having advanced technology engines. These engines are powered by alternative energy sources, like electric-powered vehicles–or EVs; or the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which runs on both electric and fossil fuel; and even some newer gasoline alternatives such as compressed natural gas (CNG), and ethanol fuels.

The additional information provided on the fuel economy labels as outlined below.

• Driving Range
• Charge Time
• Different Modes of operating
• Fuel Economy, based on miles per gallon of a gasoline-equivalent (MGPe)*
• Energy Consumption Measurement

*The MGPe is the number of kilowatts of electricity used per hour.

The Closing Decision

There is also good news for buyers looking to learn about fuel economy on used cars. The government source for used car fuel economy is available for used car dealers and individuals. So if you’re a buyer, it’s a fantastic source for researching a used car’s potential fuel mileage.

If you want additional information on the fuel efficiency of a used vehicle, the team at Car Credit in Joplin is available to help with your research. Reach out today about their available inventory of fuel-efficient vehicles, certified pre-owned, and the fuel economy on any of their used cars.