Update January 5, 2015: a new list and article has been published of the “Most Fuel Efficient Cars In 2015 (USA).” It’s quite similar, but there are a few changes in the cars on the list.
The most “fuel efficient” cars in the US are all plug-in cars, of course. The top 11 are 100% electric cars, followed by plug-in hybrid electrics. Every plug-in car on the market is more fuel efficient than the top-ranked non-plug-in car, the Toyota Prius. The Toyota Prius has a fuel efficiency rating of 50 MPG, while the top-ranked BMW i3 has a fuel efficiency rating of 124 MPGe. The 100% electric vehicle lowest on the list is the Toyota RAV4 EV at 76 MPGe, nearly twice as much as the Toyota Prius.
Update May 27, 2014: The BMW i3 and BMW i3 REx have now been added to the ratings below.
Update April 23, 2014: Tesla Model S models and the Nissan LEAF have now been added by the EPA and in the list below.
Update Dec 5, 2013: It seems that the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S aren’t on this list because the EPA has created the list for 2014 models only and it doesn’t have 2014 model data for those. I’ll update this post (and) write a new announcement, when I see the list updated again. Of course, other electric cars also might make the cut once their 2014 fuel economy ratings are in.
The US EPA and DOE have released an updated list of the top 10 most fuel efficient cars on the US auto market in 2014. This year, the Chevy Spark EV, which has gotten some very positive reviews (especially for its zippiness) tops the list. Of course, this isn’t simply supposed to be a list of the most fuel efficient electric cars (…er, most electricity efficient?), but that’s what it has ended up becoming. All 10 vehicles below are plug-in vehicles. The first 7 are 100% electric vehicles, while the remaining 3 are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Unfortunately, those top 3 most fuel efficient cars are sold in just a few markets, and aren’t even being manufactured in high enough numbers to meet demand. When are these manufacturers going to step up and at least start producing enough for the people who want them?
- 2014 BMW i3 — combined 124 MPGe
- 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV — combined 119 MPGe
- 2014 Honda Fit EV — combined 118 MPGe
- 2014 BMW i3 REx — combined 117 MPGe
- 2014 Fiat 500e — combined 118 MPGe
- 2014 Nissan LEAF — combined 114 MPGe
- 2014 smart electric drive cabriolet & coupe — combined 107 MPGe
- 2014 Ford Focus Electric — combined 105 MPGe
- 2014 Tesla Model S (60 kWh battery pack) — combined 95 MPGe
- 2014 Tesla Model S (85 kWh battery pack) — combined 89 MPGe
- 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV — combined 76 MPGe
- 2014 Chevy Volt — combined 62 MPGe
- 2014 Ford Fusion Energi & 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in — combined 58 MPGe
Note that this is a list of 2014 models only, so it doesn’t include some of the electric cars on the market... well, I think it’s just the Mitsubishi i-MiEV that’s missing now.
“Interestingly, the highest-selling electric car in the world, the Nissan Leaf, isn’t one of the 10 most fuel efficient cars on the US market. ”
Obviously Nissan Leaf must be on the list … it seems the fueleconomy.gov site does not have details for the 2014 Leaf … as soon as they get their data complete, the Leaf will obviously appear on that list
Thanks. I should have taken more time on that. Appreciate it.
What about the Ford C-Max Energi? I’m getting 61+ right now and that’s with a TON of highway miles. I have a friend who drives virtually all electric to and from work and she’s getting closer to 80 mpg.
They’re not as efficient as the pure electrics, but more efficient than a Toyota Prius.
They run on Solar, if I’m not mistaken. I wonder if there is anyway to do a True comparison?