Light-Duty Vehicle Trends Since 1975 (Text Only)

Infographic version of this information.

EPA’s Vehicle Trends Report tracks several key metrics about vehicles including fuel efficiency, tailpipe emissions, horsepower, and weight. Between 1975 and 2024, here are the key findings:

• Miles Per Gallon (MPG) for the average vehicle are up 106%.
• CO2 emitted per mile (in grams/mile) is down 53%.
• Vehicle horsepower (HP) is up 98%.
• Vehicle weight is up 9%.

A lot else has changed across the light-duty vehicle sector in the last 50 years. Here are just some of the highlights:

• 1975: Catalytic converters become included with all vehicles to reduce harmful air pollutants.
• 1976: Station wagons reach peak sales in the U.S., making up roughly one in 10 vehicles sold that year.
• 1983: The first minivans roll off the assembly line to enter the U.S. vehicle market.
• 1985: EPA implements standards to reduce lead in gasoline by 90%, on the path to fully unleaded fuels.
• 1990: Congress amends the Clean Air Act to significantly reduce motor vehicle pollution and improve air quality.
• 1999: The first modern hybrid-electric passenger vehicle is released in the U.S.
• 2000: The first hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle goes on sale in the U.S.
• 2006: A modern lithium-ion battery powered EV is made available for sale with over 200 miles on a full charge.
• 2010: Mass-production all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are released in the U.S.
• 2016: More SUVs are produced for sale than sedans and wagons for the first time.
• 2020: America reaches one million cumulative electric vehicles sold.

The market is changing faster than ever. Imagine what the next 50 years will bring.