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Fuel efficiency of vehicles on US roads: 1923-2006

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  • Sivak, Michael
  • Tsimhoni, Omer

Abstract

This article documents and analyzes the changes in fuel efficiency of vehicles on US roads between 1923 and 2006. Information about distances driven and fuel consumed was used to calculate the on-the-road fuel efficiency of the overall fleet and of different classes of vehicles. The overall fleet fuel efficiency decreased from 14Â mpg in 1923 to 11.9Â mpg in 1973. Starting in 1974, efficiency increased rapidly to 16.9Â mpg in 1991. Thereafter, improvements have been small, with efficiency reaching 17.2Â mpg in 2006. The information for 2006 was used to calculate the fuel-efficiency improvements in different classes of vehicles that would be needed to achieve a given percentage reduction in the total amount of fuel consumed by all vehicles.

Suggested Citation

  • Sivak, Michael & Tsimhoni, Omer, 2009. "Fuel efficiency of vehicles on US roads: 1923-2006," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 3168-3170, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:37:y:2009:i:8:p:3168-3170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenneth A. Small & Kurt Van Dender, 2007. "Fuel Efficiency and Motor Vehicle Travel: The Declining Rebound Effect," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 1), pages 25-52.
    2. Robert B. Noland, 2004. "Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency and Traffic Fatalities," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 4), pages 1-22.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sivak, Michael & Schoettle, Brandon, 2012. "Eco-driving: Strategic, tactical, and operational decisions of the driver that influence vehicle fuel economy," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 96-99.
    2. Yizao Liu, 2010. "Gasoline Prices, Fuel Economy Efficiency And Automobile Replacement Dynamics," Working Papers 02, University of Connecticut, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Charles J. Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy.
    3. Shekarchian, M. & Moghavvemi, M. & Zarifi, F. & Moghavvemi, S. & Motasemi, F. & Mahlia, T.M.I., 2017. "Impact of infrastructural policies to reduce travel time expenditure of car users with significant reductions in energy consumption," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 327-335.
    4. Winebrake, James J. & Green, Erin H. & Comer, Bryan & Corbett, James J. & Froman, Sarah, 2012. "Estimating the direct rebound effect for on-road freight transportation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 252-259.
    5. Liu, Yizao, 2010. "Gasoline Prices, Fuel Economy Efficiency And Automobile Replacement Dynamics," Working Paper series 148290, University of Connecticut, Charles J. Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy.

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