How California Ranks According To Fuel Economy Study

A study of actual fuel economy performance was conducted to rank the 50 states in automobile fuel efficiency. Actual fuel economy data was collected from the EPA where drivers record their gas fill up and keep track of their actual MPG. The records of 4,200 drivers were compiled and analyzed, and an MPG ratio was created so that the actual MPG data from different car models could be put on the same footing. MPG ratio is the ratio of actual fuel economy over EPA rating. The MPG ratio measures the driver's relative fuel efficiency performance vs. EPA rating. It also answers the question: if all drivers are given the same car, how fuel efficient is one driver versus other drivers?

This study ranked the 50 states based on the median of the MPG ratios of drivers residing in each state. Due to the small sample sizes (number of drivers from these states in this study), Alaska, District of Columbia, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming are excluded from the rankings. The top 10 ranked states include: New Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Delaware . While the bottom 10 states include: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Hawaii.

Maine leads the nation in relative fuel efficiency while California ranks near the bottom. The only states performing worse than California are Washington and Hawaii. The other "Green States" do not fare much better. Except Maine (#1) and New Mexico (#3), none makes to the top 10, and the rest (except Rhode Island) ranks in the bottom half. Washington (#42) and New Jersey (#40) rank near the bottom.

For many, the results of this study are shocking because many would assume that California would have ranked near the top, if not at the top, considering the leadership position California has taken in regulating automobiles. Interestingly, Green States, California included, show no difference from non-green states. Simply put, Green States are not "greener". Some believee that if the Green States can turn their legistalative leadership in regulating auto emission into real leadership where actual fuel economy performance is regulated, that the country will begin to make the steps necessary to reduce greenhouse emissions and ultimately, protect the environment.

Another key finding of this study is that variation among the states is wide. Drivers in Maine (#1) are 20% more fuel efficient that those in Hawaii and 18% more than those in Washington. What causes this variation? Certain factors can be excluded. For example, temperature doesn't seem to determine the ranking. Some of the coldest states and warmest states are in the top 5 ranking or bottom 5 ranking. Other factors definitely impact the ranking but are not quantified in this study, such as traffic condition, driving behavior, and automobile use pattern.

The key factor in this study seems to be pointing to the fact that driving behavior is key in improving fuel efficiency, and a study conducted by Ford Motor Company further backs up this theory. In the Ford Motor Company Study, average fuel economy improved by 24% after volunteer drivers received four days of coaching on driving techniques (Ford Press Release, August 27, 2008).