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Google Search Explains Your Gasoline Consumption!

Author

Listed:
  • Afkhami, Mohamad
  • Ghoddusi, Hamed
  • Rafizadeh, Nima

Abstract

We show that including Google Search Volume Index (GSVI) for bus and train, as proxies for the willingness of the consumers to use public transportation services, improves the explanatory power of the estimated demand for the United States retail gasoline. We find that gasoline consumption is negatively related to the search for public transportation services. Our results demonstrate a showcase for utilizing real-time data to improve quantitative energy policy analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Afkhami, Mohamad & Ghoddusi, Hamed & Rafizadeh, Nima, 2021. "Google Search Explains Your Gasoline Consumption!," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:99:y:2021:i:c:s0140988321002103
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2021.105305
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Google Trend; Gasoline Consumption; Public Transportation; Time Series Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q47 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy Forecasting
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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