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Fuel economy and the price of gasoline: Evidence from fueling-level micro data

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  • Knittel, Christopher R.
  • Tanaka, Shinsuke

Abstract

The short-term elasticity of gasoline consumption is determined by both vehicle distances traveled and the efficiency with which each mile is driven. Rarely is the latter observed. We use novel micro-level data on on-road fuel consumption and fuel prices in Japan to estimate both the contemporaneous and dynamic effects of gasoline prices on on-road fuel economy. Our estimate of the contemporaneous price elasticity of on-road fuel economy is approximately 0.07, suggesting that approximately 19% of the price elasticity of gasoline consumption comes from improvements in fuel-conserving behavior. We also find limited habit formation of fuel economy changes; fuel economy effectively responds only to current gasoline prices. This is consistent with substantial utility costs for behavioral adjustments in fuel saving.

Suggested Citation

  • Knittel, Christopher R. & Tanaka, Shinsuke, 2021. "Fuel economy and the price of gasoline: Evidence from fueling-level micro data," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:202:y:2021:i:c:s0047272721001328
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2021.104496
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    Cited by:

    1. M. Adam & O. Bonnet & E. Fize & T. Loisel & M. Rault & L. Wilner, 2023. "How does fuel demand respond to price changes? Quasi-experimental evidence based on high-frequency data," Documents de Travail de l'Insee - INSEE Working Papers 2023-17, Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques.
    2. M. Adam & O. Bonnet & E. Fize & T. Loisel & M. Rault & L. Wilner, 2023. "How does fuel demand respond to price changes? Quasi-experimental evidence based on high-frequency data," Documents de Travail de l'Insee - INSEE Working Papers 2023-17, Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques.
    3. Rik L. Rozendaal & Herman R. J. Vollebergh, 2021. "Policy-Induced Innovation in Clean Technologies: Evidence from the Car Market," CESifo Working Paper Series 9422, CESifo.
    4. Laura Grigolon & Eunseong Park & Kevin Remmy, 2024. "Fueling Electrification: The Impact of Gas Prices on Hybrid Car Usage," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2024_494, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    5. Ander Iraizoz & José M Labeaga, 2022. "Incidence and Avoidance Effects of Spatial Fuel Tax Differentials: Evidence using Regional Tax Variation in Spain," Working Papers halshs-03789430, HAL.
    6. Lutz Kilian & Xiaoqing Zhou, 2023. "Heterogeneity in the Pass-Through from Oil to Gasoline Prices: A New Instrument for Estimating the Price Elasticity of Gasoline Demand," CESifo Working Paper Series 10350, CESifo.
    7. Dean Hyslop & Trinh Le & David Maré & Lynn Riggs & Nic Watson, 2023. "Domestic transport charges: Estimation of transport-related elasticities," Working Papers 23_10, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Price elasticity of on-road fuel economy; Driving habit formation; Gasoline consumption;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General
    • Q31 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • L71 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction - - - Mining, Extraction, and Refining: Hydrocarbon Fuels

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