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The vehicle value externality

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  • Sieg, Gernot
  • Wigger, Berthold U.

Abstract

This paper introduces the vehicle value externality as a previously unacknowledged cost of car traffic. Unlike established externalities such as emissions or congestion, the vehicle value externality arises from the impact of vehicle value on accident damages. By developing a model linking insurance premiums to this externality and applying it to German car traffic data, we estimate the annual aggregate cost at 10 billion euros in 2021.

Suggested Citation

  • Sieg, Gernot & Wigger, Berthold U., 2025. "The vehicle value externality," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:247:y:2025:i:c:s0165176525000370
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112200
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edlin, Aaron S. & Karaca-Mandic, Pinar, 2005. "The Accident Externality from Driving," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt2h23t6rt, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
    2. Edlin, Aaron S. & Karaca-Mandic, Pinar, 2005. "The Accident Externality from Driving," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt0hw1m6q2, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
    3. Michael L. Anderson & Maximilian Auffhammer, 2014. "Pounds That Kill: The External Costs of Vehicle Weight," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 81(2), pages 535-571.
    4. Ian W. H. Parry & Margaret Walls & Winston Harrington, 2007. "Automobile Externalities and Policies," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 45(2), pages 373-399, June.
    5. Anderson, Michael L. & Auffhammer, Maximillian, 2014. "Pounds that Kill," Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley, Working Paper Series qt0s47p33c, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley.
    6. Santos, Georgina & Behrendt, Hannah & Maconi, Laura & Shirvani, Tara & Teytelboym, Alexander, 2010. "Part I: Externalities and economic policies in road transport," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 2-45.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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