oEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Transportation & Air Quality
                EPA-420-B-14-015
                      March 2014
                      MPG:  Label Values vs. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Values
                            Label MPG
                                                                                   CAFE MPG
1. Examples (MPG for average new car)
   •   Today (MY 2014): 24
   •   2025:40
                                                           •   Today (MY 2014): 31
                                                           •   2025:50
2. Where you'll find it
       On the Fuel Economy and Environment Label that is part of the
       window sticker on new vehicles on auto dealership lots
       Websites: Fueleconomy.gov - EPA/DOE comprehensive vehicle
       website—and other vehicle search sites
       Labels provide a single combined value, as well as separate city and
       highway values; automakers and/or dealers sometimes display only
       the highest of these three values
                                                               Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations—The average fuel
                                                               economy of a manufacturer's annual fleet of vehicle production must
                                                               be at or above the defined standard ; see "Summary of Fuel Economy
                                                               Performance" for details
                                                               Press articles about these regulations
3. Purpose
   •   To provide consumers with a real-world MPG estimate they can use to
       compare different vehicle models
                                                               To reduce energy consumption by increasing the fuel economy of cars
                                                               and light trucks
                                                               Regulatory tool - Vehicle manufacturers are required to comply with
                                                               the CAFE standards, which increase every year, per the Light-Duty
                                                               Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Corporate Average
                                                               Fuel Economy Standards
4. Derivation
   •   Based on tests reflecting urban commuting, rural highway operation,
       high speed/acceleration, high temperature/air conditioning, and cold
       temperature operation
   •   Methodology often referred to as 5-cycle testing
                                                               Based on tests reflecting urban commuting (city) and rural highway
                                                               (highway) operation
                                                               Methodology often referred to as 2-cycle testing
                                                               Reflects various credits, incentives, and adjustments available to
                                                               automakers
5. Comparison of Results
   •   Label MPG values are, on average, 20-25% lower than CAFE MPG values
6. Lead Agency
       Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
                                                               National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), within the
                                                               Department of Transportation (DOT)

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