Maps and Data - Vehicle Weight Classes & Categories
Find maps and charts showing transportation data and trends related to alternative fuels and vehicles.
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Vehicles: AFVs and HEVs
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Biodiesel Purchases by EPAct-Regulated Fleets
Trend of State and Alternative Fuel Provider Biodiesel Purchases from 2000 to 2023 Last update May 2024
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Clean Cities and Communities Alternative Fuel Vehicle Inventory
Alternative fuel vehicle inventory reported by Clean Cities and Communities coalitions from 2004 to 2022 Last update February 2024
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Clean Cities and Communities Energy Use Impact by AFV Type
Trend of energy impact by fuels used in alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) from 2004 to 2022 Last update February 2024
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Efficiency Ratios for Light-Duty All-Electric Vehicles in the United States
Provides efficiency ratios of on-road all-electric vehicles in the United States in 2021, based on vehicle registration data. Last update September 2024
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EPAct State & Alternative Fuel Provider Fleet Exemptions
Trend of State & Alternative Fuel Provider (S&FP) exemption requests and vehicles exempted from 1997 to 2023 Last update June 2024
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Light-Duty AFV, HEV, and Diesel Model Offerings, by Technology/Fuel
Trend of vehicle models incorporating various advanced technologies or alternative fuels, from 1991 through 2024 Last update May 2024
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Light-Duty AFV Registrations
Breakdown of alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) registrations by fuel type Last update June 2024
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TransAtlas
Interactive map displays light-duty vehicle registration counts over time by state and fuel type
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Transit Buses by Fuel Type
Trend of buses powered by various fuels in the United States, 2007-2021 Last update April 2024
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Types of Vehicles by Weight Class
Chart shows typical vehicle types within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) vehicle classes Last update June 2012
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U.S. HEV Sales by Model
Trend of sales by hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) model, 1999-2019 Last update January 2020
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U.S. Plug-in Electric Vehicle Sales by Model
Trend of sales by PEV model, 2011-2019 Last update January 2020
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Vehicle Credits Traded by Regulated Fleets
Trend of State & Alternative Fuel Provider (S&FP) EPAct credits traded and transactions from 1997 to 2023 Last update May 2024
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Vehicle Weight Classes & Categories
Charts illustrate the vehicle weight classes and categories used by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Last update June 2012
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Vehicles: Fuel Consumption and Efficiency
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Average Annual Fuel Use by Vehicle Type
Comparison of fuel use (per vehicle) among vehicle types Last update May 2024
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Average Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled by Major Vehicle Category
Comparison of miles traveled (per vehicle) among vehicle types Last update September 2024
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Average Fuel Consumption at Increasing Road Grades
Trend of fuel consumption at increasing road grades, for various vehicle types Last update August 2014
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Average Fuel Economy by Major Vehicle Category
Comparison of fuel economy among vehicle types Last update January 2024
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Average Per-Passenger Fuel Economy by Travel Mode
Comparison of per-passenger fuel economy for various modes of transportation Last update October 2022
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Clean Cities and Communities Energy Use Impact by VMT Reduction and FE
Trend of energy impact by fuel economy (FE) improvements and reductions in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from 2004 to 2022 Last update February 2024
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Clean Cities and Communities Energy Use Impact through Idle Reduction
Trend of energy impact by idle reduction policies and technologies from 2004 to 2022 Last update February 2024
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Composition of New U.S. Light-Duty Vehicles by Vehicle Type
Trend showing the shift in popularity of trucks versus cars by year Last update January 2024
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Efficiency Ratios for Light-Duty All-Electric Vehicles in the United States
Provides efficiency ratios of on-road all-electric vehicles in the United States in 2021, based on vehicle registration data. Last update September 2024
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Energy Expenditures by Sector
Trend of U.S. transportation and residential energy expenditures, per capita, from 1970 to 2021 Last update January 2024
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Energy Losses in Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles
Breakdown of energy lost to various factors in light-duty vehicles Last update January 2024
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| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) | Federal Highway Administration | US Census Bureau | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Class | GVWR Category | VIUS Classes | |
| > 6,000 | Class 1: < 6,000 lbs | Light Duty < 10,000 lbs |
Light Duty < 10,000 lbs |
| 10,000 | Class 2: 6,001 – 10,000 lbs | ||
| 14,000 | Class 3: 10,001 – 14,000 lbs | Medium Duty 10,001 – 26,000 lbs |
Medium Duty 10,001 – 19,500 lbs |
| 16,000 | Class 4: 14,001 – 16,000 lbs | ||
| 19,500 | Class 5: 16,001 – 19,500 lbs | ||
| 26,000 | Class 6: 19,501 – 26,000 lbs | Light Heavy Duty 19,001 – 26,000 lbs |
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| 33,000 | Class 7: 26,001 – 33,000 lbs | Heavy Duty > 26,001 lbs |
Heavy Duty > 26,001 lbs |
| > 33,000 | Class 8: > 33,001 lbs | ||
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) | EPA Emissions Classification | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Duty Vehicle and Engines | Light Duty Vehicles | |||
| H.D. Trucks | H.D. Engines | General Trucks | Passenger Vehicles | |
| < 6,000 | Light Duty Truck 1 & 2 < 6,000 lbs |
Light Light Duty Trucks < 6,000 lbs |
Light Duty Trucks < 8,500 lbs |
Light Duty Vehicle < 8,500 lbs |
| 8,500 | Light Duty Truck 3 & 4 6,001 – 8,500 lbs |
Heavy Light Duty Trucks 6,001 – 8,500 lbs |
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| 10,000 | Heavy Duty Vehicle 2b 8,501 – 10,000 lbs |
Light Heavy Duty Engines 8,501 – 19,500 lbs |
Heavy Duty Vehicle Heavy Duty Engine > 8,500 lbs |
Medium Duty Passenger Vehicle 8,501 – 10,000 lbs |
| 14,000 | Heavy Duty Vehicle 3 10,001 – 14,000 lbs |
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| 16,000 | Heavy Duty Vehicle 4 14,001 – 16,000 lbs |
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| 19,500 | Heavy Duty Vehicle 5 16,001 – 19,500 lbs |
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| 26,000 | Heavy Duty Vehicle 6 19,501 – 26,000 lbs |
Medium Heavy Duty Engines 19,501 – 33,000 lbs |
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| 33,000 | Heavy Duty Vehicle 7 26,001 – 33,000 lbs |
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| 60,000 | Heavy Duty Vehicle 8a 33,001 – 60,000 lbs |
Heavy Heavy Duty Engines Urban Bus > 33,001 lbs |
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| > 60,000 | Heavy Duty Vehicle 8b > 60,001 lbs |
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These charts illustrate the vehicle weight classes and categories used by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The vehicle weight classes are defined by FHWA and are used consistently throughout the industry. These classes, 1-8, are based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the maximum weight of the vehicle, as specified by the manufacturer. GVWR includes total vehicle weight plus fluids, passengers, and cargo. FHWA categorizes vehicles as Light Duty (Class 1-2), Medium Duty (Class 3-6), and Heavy Duty (Class 7-8). EPA defines vehicle categories, also by GVWR, for the purposes of emissions and fuel economy certification. EPA classifies vehicles as Light Duty (GVWR < 8,500 lb) or Heavy Duty (GVWR > 8,501 lb). Within the Heavy-Duty class, there is a Medium Heavy Duty Diesel Engine class for engine-only certification, but no Medium-Duty Vehicle class. The September 2011 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)/EPA rulemaking on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles uses categories and weights for Heavy-Duty Vehicle Classes 2b through 8, similar to the FHWA weight classes.