U.S. Energy Department foresees gasoline-powered cars will dominate through 2040

A recent report published by the U.S. Energy Department says gasoline will continue to be the fuel choice by 2040. 

It also predicts the fuel efficiency of the nation’s cars and trucks will rise from 21.5 mpg in 2012 to 37.2 mpg by 2040. Overall energy consumption by the nation’s transportation sector is expected to fall by about 4 percent.

The Energy Department predicts that in 2040, 78% of all cars and trucks will use gasoline, down from 82 percent, in 2012. It predicts a big upswing in micro-hybrids and other advanced fuel technologies to 42% of all vehicles by 2040.

The Environmental Protection Agency predicts full hybrids will account for 5 percent of vehicles in 2040 — up from 3 percent today. Diesel vehicles will double to 4 percent from the current 2 percent.

In 2012, the Obama administration issued final rules to double the efficiency of new cars and trucks to 54.5 mpg by 2025 — though in real-world driving and after accounting for credits it will be around 40 miles per gallon. 

The Environmental Protection Agency said this month that the fuel efficiency of the nation’s 2012 model-year cars and trucks hit a record average of 23.6 miles per gallon and is on pace for 24 mpg for the 2013 model year.