Considering a New Car?

2011 Fuel Economy Guide Released

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) released the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide, providing consumers with information about estimated mileage and fuel costs for model year 2011 vehicles. Choosing a more fuel efficient vehicle in a class will save consumers money and reduce carbon pollution.

“Increasing fuel efficiency is important for our environment, our economy and our health – and it helps families save money at the pump,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “This guide will help consumers make the right choice for the environment and for their wallets when buying a car.”

“This year’s Fuel Economy Guide will allow consumers to choose fuel efficient vehicles that will save them money at the pump, while helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and limiting carbon pollution,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “Fuel efficient vehicles help reduce driving costs for American families while continuing to deliver the highest standards of vehicle performance.”

Fuel efficient models come in all types, classes, and sizes. The 2011 Fuel Economy Guide can help consumers easily identify the most fuel efficient vehicles that meet their needs.  Overall, the best fuel economy performers are hybrids, but the 2011 fuel economy leaders also include fuel efficient clean diesels as well as gasoline models.

Each vehicle listing in the guide provides an estimated annual fuel cost. The estimate is calculated based on the vehicle’s miles per gallon (mpg) rating and national estimates for annual mileage and fuel prices. The online version of the guide allows consumers to input their local gasoline prices and typical driving habits to receive a personalized fuel cost estimate.

For the first time, the guide includes medium-duty passenger vehicles, which are generally large sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and passenger vans. These vehicles were not previously subject to fuel economy measurement and labeling requirements.

EPA and DOE will provide additional fuel economy information online as more 2011 vehicles, including electric and plug-in hybrid cars, become available.

In addition to being available on the EPA/DOE website and in automobile dealer showrooms, the Fuel Economy Guide is also readily accessible from many mobile devices (fueleconomy.gov/m).

More information, including a complete version of the guide:  http://www.fueleconomy.gov

View the 2011 fuel economy leaders within each class and the lowest fuel economy models: http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/basicinformation.htm