The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released the 2026 fuel economy guide. The new and updated information will help fleets gain insight into costs, efficiency, and emissions. The full breakdown will outline the latest data to help fleet managers make the most informed decisions possible this year.

The following topics are covered in the 2026 guide:

• How to use the guide

• Vehicle classes used in the guide

• How the guide is organized

• Understanding the guide listings

• Tax incentives and disincentives

• Fueling options

• Alternative fueling stations locator 

• Improving fuel economy

• Advanced vehicle technology

• Annual fuel cost ranges for vehicle class

• Fuel economy leaders

• 2026 model year vehicles

• Diesel vehicles

• All-electric vehicles

• Plug-ins

• Ethanol flexible fuel vehicles

For fleets, this means estimates that provide a baseline for operating costs across models and fuel types, helping with procurement decisions and lifecycle cost analysis.

The estimates are based on EPA-standardized testing of 15,000 miles per year, with a mix of city and highway driving. The guide includes context on testing methods and how fuel may vary depending on duty cycle, driver behavior, and operating costs.

The guide lists fuel-economy ratings and annual numbers by class, including conventional diesel and gas models, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles.

The guide also includes information on electrification and alternative fuels, which gives a snapshot into what’s available and how those fuel costs compare to traditional ones for TCO across powertrain options.

Each listing also has a greenhouse rating, on a scale from 1-10, which can be useful for sustainability metrics.

The Fuel Economy Guide is updated weekly for relevant new information.