WASHINGTON—Fuel economy in the U.S. vehicle fleet improved by 16 percent between 2007 and 2012, with an increase of 1.4 mpg in 2012 alone, according to the latest annual report on fuel economy issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles decreased by 13 percent during the six-year period, the EPA said.
The Obama administration expects fuel economy to continue with major improvements in future years with the implementation of its National Clean Car Program, according to the agency. The program, designed to double fuel economy by 2025, will save Americans an average of more than $8,000 per vehicle in fuel costs by that year, it said. It also will reduce fuel consumption by 2 million barrels of oil daily by 2025, it said.