1999 GMC EV1: MPG and fuel economy

This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 1999 GMC EV1. Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain. The EPA rates 2 separate variants of this car (different engine, transmission, or drivetrain combinations), and you can compare them side by side in the trims table.

Fuel economy at a glance

These are the EPA's official ratings for the 1999 GMC EV1. The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.

When the EPA tests several variants of the same nameplate (for example, a front-wheel-drive version and an all-wheel-drive version), each gets its own rating. The figures shown here are the headline variant, taken as the configuration with the best combined MPG. The trims table further down covers all 2 variants side by side.

Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).

How the 1999 GMC EV1 compares

The 1999 GMC EV1 returns 85 combined MPG. Cars in the Two Seaters class for the same model year average 19.6 MPG, which puts this car ahead of the class average by about 334%.

Within the Two Seaters class for the 1999 model year, the GMC EV1 is the leader. No other car in the same class beat its 85 MPG rating. The bar chart below shows it alongside the class average and the average new car for some additional context.

For broader context, the average new car of the 1999 model year (across all classes) returns 19.1 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 1999 model year is on its own page.

Trim variants rated for 1999

The EPA rates 2 separate variants of the 1999 GMC EV1. The differences come from the engine size, transmission type, and drivetrain (front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and so on). The same nameplate can land several MPG apart depending on the configuration you actually buy.

The most efficient configuration on this page returns 85 MPG, while the least efficient returns 37 MPG. That is a spread of 48 MPG between trims of the same nameplate.

Annual fuel cost across driving patterns

The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for electricity, which is $0.15/kilowatt-hour. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.

The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPGe and the reference electricity price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. Charging at home rather than at a public DC fast charger usually lowers the real cost below the EPA's published figure.

Compare against other Two Seaters for 1999

If you are cross-shopping the 1999 GMC EV1, the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Two Seaters class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.

Specifications

The 1999 GMC EV1 is a fully electric vehicle. It is powered by 102kw ac induction. The EPA rates its driving range at 55 miles.

Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.

Vehicle class

Two Seaters

Transmission

Automatic (A1)

Fuel type

Electricity

Electric motor

102kW AC Induction

EV range

55 miles

Annual petroleum use

0.1 barrels per year

Common questions about the 1999 GMC EV1

Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 1999 GMC EV1.

• Is the 1999 GMC EV1 fuel efficient?

  Yes. The 1999 GMC EV1 returns 85 combined MPG, which beats the average car in the Two Seaters class for the same model year by about 334%.
• What MPG does the 1999 GMC EV1 get?

  The EPA rates the 1999 GMC EV1 at 85 combined MPG, 79 MPG in city driving, and 94 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is.
• How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 GMC EV1 per year?

  The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $900 for the 1999 GMC EV1. That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade.
• Does the 1999 GMC EV1 use gasoline?

  No. The 1999 GMC EV1 is fully electric and runs on grid electricity. The MPGe figure on this page converts electricity use into a gasoline-equivalent so you can compare it directly to a regular car.
• How much CO₂ does the 1999 GMC EV1 emit?

  The 1999 GMC EV1 produces zero tailpipe emissions because it runs entirely on electricity. The full carbon footprint of charging it depends on how the electricity on your local grid is generated, which varies a lot from one state to another.
• What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 1999 GMC EV1?

  City driving returns 79 MPG and highway driving returns 94 MPG, a gap of 15 MPG. A spread that wide is typical of cars with conventional automatic or manual transmissions, where stop-start city traffic eats more fuel than a steady highway cruise.
• What motor does the 1999 GMC EV1 use?

  The 1999 GMC EV1 uses 102kW AC Induction. Electric motors do not have a displacement or cylinder count the way a combustion engine does, so EPA reporting focuses on the motor type and battery system instead.
• What transmission and drivetrain does the 1999 GMC EV1 have?

  The 1999 GMC EV1 comes with a automatic (a1) transmission.
• Is the 1999 GMC EV1 the most efficient car in its class?

  Yes. Among cars in the Two Seaters class for the 1999 model year, the GMC EV1 returns the highest combined MPG at 85 MPG. No other car in the same class beats that figure.
• What is the EV range of the 1999 GMC EV1?

  The EPA rates the 1999 GMC EV1 for 55 miles of electric driving range on a full charge. That is on the shorter end for a current EV, so plan charging around a daily commute rather than long road trips.

Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.