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Technological growth of fuel efficiency in european automobile market 1975–2015

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  • Hu, Kejia
  • Chen, Yuche

Abstract

This paper looks at the technological growth of new car fleet fuel efficiency in the European Union between 1975 and 2015. According to the analysis results, from1975 to 2006 the fuel efficiency technology improvements were largely offset by vehicles' increased weight, engine size, and consumer amenities such as acceleration capacity. After 2006, downsizing in weight and engine capacity was observed in new car fleet, while fuel consumption decreased by 32% between 2006 and 2015. We adopt a statistical method and find that from 1975 to 2015, a 1% increase in weight would result in 0.3 to 0.5% increments in fuel consumption per 100km, and a 1% reduction in 0–100km/h acceleration time would increase fuel consumption by about 0.3%. Impacts of other attributes on fuel consumption are also assessed. To meet the European Union's 2021 fuel consumption target, downsizing of cars, as well as at least maintaining fuel efficiency technology growth trend observed between 2005 and 2015, are needed. Government policies on controlling improvement in acceleration performance or promoting alternative fuel vehicles are also important to achieve European Union 2021 target.

Suggested Citation

  • Hu, Kejia & Chen, Yuche, 2016. "Technological growth of fuel efficiency in european automobile market 1975–2015," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 142-148.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:98:y:2016:i:c:p:142-148
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.08.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Jihu Zheng & Rujie Yu & Yong Liu & Yuhong Zou & Dongchang Zhao, 2019. "The Technological Progress of the Fuel Consumption Rate for Passenger Vehicles in China: 2009–2016," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-14, June.
    7. Yuche Chen & Ruixiao Sun & Xuanke Wu, 2021. "Estimating Bounds of Aerodynamic, Mass, and Auxiliary Load Impacts on Autonomous Vehicles: A Powertrain Simulation Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-13, November.
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    9. Chen, Yuche & Gonder, Jeffrey & Young, Stanley & Wood, Eric, 2019. "Quantifying autonomous vehicles national fuel consumption impacts: A data-rich approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 134-145.
    10. Craglia, Matteo & Cullen, Jonathan, 2019. "Do technical improvements lead to real efficiency gains? Disaggregating changes in transport energy intensity," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
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