It's not just Americans favor SUVs and light truck over compact cars, but that a majority of EV and hybrid owners who have traded in their cars are opting for all-gas vehicles, and that spells trouble for meeting President Obama's climate goals.
Recent research from the University of Michigan Transportation Institute (UMTRI) shows indicates that the single most effective way for American to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions is by changing their transportation behavior, particularly by driving less (or not at all) or driving vehicles that are fuel efficient (or emission-free).
The February report, "What Individual Americans Can Do To Assist In Meeting The Paris Agreement" [PDF] list six behavioral options (Table 2, page 9 of 28). The top two items listed by authors Dr. Michael Sivak Brandon Schoettle in reducing driving emissions are:
- 50% reduction: Buying a vehicle that gets 50 mpg (2.00 gal/100 mi) instead of a vehicle that gets 25 mpg (4.00 gal/100 mi).
- 10% reduction: Reducing the amount of driving by 10% without replacing it with other motorized transportation.
But since gas prices began their steady, consistent decline in the summer of 2014, vehicle efficiency has been going the wrong way. Consumers are responding to low gas prices, and it's particularly illustrated when they trade in their vehicles.
"So far this year, nearly 75 percent of the people who have traded in a hybrid or electric car to a dealer have replaced it with an all-gas car, an 18 percent jump from 2015, according to Edmunds.com, a car shopping and research site," writes Matt Richtel, technology correspondent for The New York Times.
The changing consumer patterns are in plain view at swapalease.com, a marketplace for people who want to get out of a car lease by transferring it to someone else. Dozens of hybrids and electric vehicles are available, in some cases languishing without bites from buyers.
2015 was a banner year for SUVs. Conventional hybrid vehicle sales have been on the wane since 2013 when they composed 3.19 percent of new car sales.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
As Dr. Sivak often reminds us, cheap gas defeats fuel efficiency goals.
Richtel ends his piece on a hopeful note, pointing to the more affordable electric vehicles with extended range, such as the Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt, entering the market next year that could change the paradigm.
Another positive note was in a June 2 email from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute which reports on month fuel efficiency changes.
"The average fuel economy (window-sticker value) of new vehicles sold in the U.S. in May 2016 was 25.4 mpg—up 0.2 mpg from the value for April 2016," wrote researchers Sivak and Schoettle. "This improvement likely reflects the increased price of gasoline in May, and the consequent increased interest in more fuel-efficient vehicles by buyers of all vehicle classes."
However, they also put that efficiency improvement in perspective.
"Fuel economy is down 0.4 mpg from the peak reached in August 2014, but still up 5.3 mpg since October 2007 (the first month of our monitoring)," they add.
Click here for a description of their calculations and the recent fuel efficiency values.
FULL STORY: American Drivers Regain Appetite for Gas Guzz
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.