The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its 2022 Automotive Trends Report, which evaluates 14 major car companies on greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy through the 2021 calendar year. According to the report, GM recorded the second-worst average fuel economy rating among the 14 automakers studied.
Per the recent EPA report, GM’s average estimated real-world fuel economy for the 2021 calendar year was recorded at 21.6 mpg, placing it above Stellantis, which recorded 21.3 mpg, and below Ford, which recorded 22.9 mpg. Subaru was the top-ranked automaker with an average of 28.8 mpg, followed by Kia with 28.7 mpg and Nissan with 28.6 mpg. The industry average was 25.4 mpg.
In terms of CO2 emissions, GM averaged 414 grams-per-mile, while Stellantis averaged 417 grams-per-mile and Ford averaged 385 grams-per-mile. At the top of the list, Subaru averaged 309 grams-per-mile, Kia averaged 310 grams-per-mile, and Nissan averaged 311 grams-per-mile. The industry average was 347 grams-per-mile.
As GM Authority reported previously, this isn’t the first time that GM has been identified as one of the worst automakers in the U.S. in terms of fuel economy. Per a previous EPA Automotive Trends report, GM averaged 23 mpg and 386 grams-of-CO2-per-mile during the 2020 calendar year, once again placing it near the bottom of the list among the major automakers studied. Notably, GM’s performance in the 2021 calendar year deteriorated year-over-year, with a 1.5-mpg decrease in real-world average fuel economy, and a 28 grams-of-CO2-per-mile increase in real-world average emissions.
That said, the EPA expects GM’s average fuel economy to improve to 22.2 mpg for the 2022 calendar year. Additionally, The General’s real-world average emissions is expected to improve to 400-grams-of-CO2-per-mile. Meanwhile, the broader automotive industry is expected to record an average fuel economy of 26.4 mpg for the 2022 calendar year, as well as average emissions of 331 grams-of-CO2-per-mile.
GM also reportedly bought 28.3 million megagrams of auto emissions credits for the 2021 model year. Stellantis purchased the most during the same time period, buying up 102.6 million megagrams of credits.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GM vehicle efficiency news, GM business news, GM electric vehicle news, GM technology news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
At a time of year when luxury car ATP usually rises.
Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
Specifically critical minerals supply chain development.
Scheduled for a Spring 2025 launch.
View Comments
To compare GM , Ford , Chrysler with Subaru, Nissan , KIA , Hyundai is disengenuis.
GM , Ford, and Chrysler all sell large picks up and body on frame SUV's , the others in your article do not so you are not comparing apple to apples
GM also due to the chip shortage sacrificed smaller vehicles by not producing them to keep their assembly lines running on their most profitable vehicles.
When you understand how the results are impacted by these factors , this article is meaningless as it does not tell the whole story and would have you believe , GM and Chrysler have done nothing to improve fuel economy .
Completely Agree
Ince my first Sub, a 1972 in 1983, I've owned 25 Suburban and Tahoes from 1948 to 2021. I never bought one and asked what the gas mileage is.
Fuel economy is dictated by what the customers want to buy. I buy what I want!!!!!!!!!!
Until the Government forces you.
Fuel economy and safety ratings are my last considerations when purchasing a new vehicle.
I don't think this really means very much, considering what was going on a couple of years ago. GM was prioritizing the production of their high-value pickup trucks over everything else. If you saw what was coming into the lots, they were mostly the higher end 4x4 quad cabs.
You can't really even argue that tactic. If you've only got so many parts, you want them in something that is going to make you the most money.
So how do GM's real world emissions mesh with their promotion of zero emissions. Seems GM are the ones who are disingenuous. Their internal directive is apparently: "Make as much profit as possible and the environment be damned." Why do I have to turn to a foreign manufacturer to buy a comfortable, safe, reliable, fuel efficient sedan?
"Why do I have to turn to a foreign manufacturer to buy a comfortable, safe, reliable, fuel efficient sedan?"
Because overall, Americans aren't interested in sedans right now. You can however buy a 4 cylinder truck, or even 3 cylinder SUV.