Skip to Content
U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Fact #524: June 23, 2008
Carbon Footprint of New Light Vehicles Drops Between 1975 and 2007

The carbon footprint is a measure of greenhouse gas emissions produced by cars which is closely tied to fuel economy. As fuel efficiencies have increased for each size class, the carbon footprint for that class has decreased a proportional amount. Overall, both cars and trucks have experienced a decrease in annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 43% between 1975 and 2007. Within the car classes, midsize cars experienced the greatest improvement with a decrease in annual greenhouse gas emissions of 52%. Among the truck classes, midsize SUVs had the largest decrease with 47.8%. Of all vehicle classes, midsized pickup trucks reduced greenhouse gas emissions the least with a decrease of only 4.8 percent.

Sales Weighted New Car Carbon Footprint by Size Class, Model Years 1975 and 2007
Graphic showing the tons of CO2 produced by various new car size classes in the model year 1975 and 2007. For more detailed information, see the table below.
Sales Weighted New Truck Carbon Footprint by Size Class, Model Years 1975 and 2007
Graphic showing the tons of CO2 produced by various new truck size classes in the model year 1975 and 2007. For more detailed information, see the table below.

Notes:
* Annual CO2 Emissions are based on 55% City Driving and 45% Highway and 15,000 miles of annual driving.
** No small vans or small pickups were offered in the 2007 model year.

carbon footprint formula and legend

Supporting Information

Sales Weighted New Light Vehicle Carbon Footprint by Size Class, Model Years 1975-2007
  Carbon Footprint
(Annual Tons of CO2*)		  
Size Class 1975 2007 Percent Change
1975-2007
Cars
Small 11.9 7.8 -34.5
Midsize 16.0 7.6 -52.5
Large 16.6 9.1 -45.2
Small Wagon 9.7 7.2 -25.8
Midsize Wagon 16.4 8.7 -47.0
Large Wagon 18.2 10.3 -43.4
Total Cars 88.8 50.7 -42.9
Light Trucks
Small Van** 10.6 0.0 **
Midsize Van 16.4 9.3 -43.3
Large Van 17.3 11.8 -31.8
Small SUV 13.5 10.4 -23.0
Midsize SUV 18.2 9.5 -47.8
Large SUV 18.0 11.1 -38.3
Small Pickup** 9.7 0.0 **
Midsize Pickup 10.4 9.9 -4.8
Large Pickup 16.7 11.8 -29.3
Total Light Trucks 130.8 73.8 -43.6

Notes:
* Annual CO2 Emissions are based on 55% City Driving and 45% Highway and 15,000 miles of annual driving.
** No small vans or small pickups were offered in the 2007 model year.
Source: Carbon footprint calculations were made using the GREET Model Version 1.8 and were applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2007, Appendix E: Data Stratified by Vehicle Type and Size.

 

Return to 2008 Facts of the Week