Driving smarter toward fuel savings

Operating costs depend on more than a vehicle’s make and model, according to the newly released 2026 Fuel Economy Guide from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Compiled by researchers at the National Transportation Research Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the annual guide highlights new vehicle fuel economy and explains how driving habits and vehicle maintenance impact mileage and overall costs. 

With transportation accounting for roughly one-fifth of the average household’s total spending, improvements in fuel economy can translate directly into meaningful cost savings for families. “Speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking can lower gas mileage,” said ORNL’s Stacy Davis, group leader for Transportation Analytics and Decision Sciences at the lab. “Driver feedback tools, including in-vehicle systems and smartphone apps that track acceleration and braking, can help drivers operate vehicles more smoothly and save fuel.”

The online resource identifies the most fuel-efficient vehicles and helps consumers directly compare gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric models. Consumers can also view new and used passenger vehicles from model year 1984 to present at FuelEconomy.gov.