The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index shows the average fuel economy rating of light vehicles sold in the U.S. in November was 25.4 mpg (9.3 L/100 km), up 0.7% from year-ago.
The national average gasoline price was $2.76, 1.9% higher than in August and 16.3% above year-ago.
Growing fuel costs were a likely factor in the share of standard gasoline models declining slightly to 96.5% from 96.7% in same-month 2016. Battery-electric vehicles gained share, while hybrids and plug-in hybrids showed negligible movement.
Market share of all light-truck segments grew from last year, pushing the vehicle type to a record-high share of 65.2%.
Cars sold in the month averaged 30.4 mpg (7.7 L/100 km), up 0.7% from year-ago. Domestically built cars improved 1.0%, while imports were flat with year-ago.
Luxury cars were the only segment to score below prior-year, 0.6%. The rating for midsize cars surpassed 31 mpg for the first time, growing 1.3% to 31.2 mpg (7.5 L/100 km) in November.
Light trucks reached 22.7 mpg (10.3 L/100 km) on the index, a 3.0% gain on like-2016. The average rating for domestics increased 3.1%, and imported models improved 2.3%.
CUVs showed the greatest upward movement of the light-truck segments, jumping 4.0% to 25.3 mpg (9.3 L/100 km). Penetration of electrics and hybrids in the fleet rose from year-ago.
SUVs and pickups showed small upticks, up just 0.1% on the index.
November marked the sixth consecutive month where no automaker (excluding electric-only Tesla) averaged above 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km).
Honda remained the highest rated automaker at 29.1 mpg (8.1 L/100 km).
FCA had the lowest score, 20.9 mpg (11.2 L/100 km), despite growing sales of the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV.
Volvo’s index result rose 3.0% to a record-high 25.1 mpg (9.4 L/100 km), boosted in large part by sales of plug-in hybrids.
General Motors also reached a best-ever result, rising 4.8% from year-ago to 24.3 mpg (9.7 L/100 km). The Chevrolet Bolt EV gained share in the automaker’s November sales.
Nissan had the greatest year-to-year drop, falling 5.0%. Electric cars sales were down, likely because interested buyers are waiting for the release of the next-generation Leaf in 2018.
The industrywide index rating for the first eleven months of 2017 was 25.4 mpg (9.3 L/100 km), up 0.5% from same-period 2016.
