Average Fuel Economy Dips to 25.2 MPG in April

The average sales-weighted fuel economy of vehicles sold last month dropped slightly.

According to data from researchers Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, the average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the U.S. during April was 25.2 mpg, a 0.2-mpg drop compared to March 2015. The drop was likely caused by an increase in pickup truck and SUV sales, especially since gas prices have dropped. Fuel economy is down 0.6 mpg compared to the peak reached in August 2014 of 25.8 mpg.

SEE ALSO: Average Fuel Economy Increases in March

The average sales-weighted fuel economy is calculated by using the monthly sales of individual models of light-duty vehicles and the combined city/highway fuel-economy ratings published in the EPA Fuel Economy Guide. The researchers have been monitoring data since October 2007 with overall fuel economy up 5.1 mpg since then.The study also noted that the average fuel economy during the first seven months of current the model year (October 2014 through April 2015) is the same as the preceding model year at 25.3 mpg.

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