U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #372: May 16, 2005
Truck Fuel Economy by Size Class

The average fuel economy of light trucks (class 1 and 2) in 2002 was 16.2 miles per gallon (mpg), up from 15.8 mpg in 1997. Large truck (class 7 and 8) fuel economy has changed little over the time period shown.

Truck Fuel Economy by Size Class, 2002
Graph showing truck fuel economy by size class in 1992, 1997, and 2002

Note: Truck weight based on manufacturer's gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating.

Supporting Information

Truck Fuel Economy by Size Class
Manufacturer's GVW Class 1992 TIUS 1997 TIUS 2002 TIUS
1) 6,000 lb and less 17.2 17.1 17.6
2) 6,001–10,000 lb 13.0 13.6 14.3
    Light truck subtotal 15.7 15.8 16.2
3) 10,000–14,000 lb 8.8 9.4 10.5
4) 14,001–16,000 lb 8.8 9.3 8.5
5) 16,001–19,500 lb 7.4 8.7 7.9
6) 19,501–26,000 lb 6.9 7.3 7.0
    Medium truck subtotal 7.3 7.8 8.0
7) 26,001–33,000 lb 6.5 6.4 6.4
8) 33,001 lb and over 5.5 5.7 5.7
    Large truck subtotal 5.6 5.7 5.8

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, "2002 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey," Microdata file, January 2005
"1997 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey," 2000
"1992 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey," 1995

Data generated by Stacy Davis, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, March 2005

 

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