Last year set two notable vehicle records. First, the most cars ever sold, at 17.54 million. Second, light trucks accounted for almost 61 percent of all sales. Sales of more fuel efficient car fell, though electric vehicle sales increased.
"The strength of new 'car' sales was actually driven by light trucks, which reached a record 60.9 percent of all sales," reports Lawrence Ulrich, The Drive’s chief auto critic. Cheap gas, by historic standards, played a significant role.
Pickups and SUVs [led by crossovers] flew out of dealerships as fast as people could pump them full of affordable unleaded. Light truck sales leapt up 7.4 percent, even as traditional cars slumped by 8.9 percent in the face of the SUV onslaught.
Fuel economy and emissions
As a result of the major increase in SUV purchases and decrease in more efficient cars, "the average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in 2016 was 25.2 mpg, down 0.1 mpg from 2015," according to an email by Michael Sivak, director of Sustainable Worldwide Transportation for the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, who referenced the group's latest data on vehicle fuel economy and emissions.
The drop in fuel economy translates to higher emissions. "The average new-vehicle driver produced 17% lower emissions in October 2016 than in October 2007, but 4% higher emissions than the record low reached last time in November 2015," Sivak adds.
Electric vehicle (EV) sales also set a record last year according to sales data provided by Jay Cole for Inside EVs.
In the United States, sales of all plug-in electrical vehicles (PEVs: any vehicle that has a plug and batteries so it can run on electricity, even if for only a short distance) was 159,139 last year, compared to 116,099 in 2015, an increase of 43,040 vehicles, or 37 percent. Not bad considering the price of gas!
But how does this good news compare with the total amount of vehicles sold? Less than 1 percent (0.91 percent, to be precise), not so good, but compared to last year's PEV share of 0.66 percent, it's an increase of 38 percent!
At that rate of progress, will EVs become more mainstream in the near future? One thing that will make a difference would be a significant increase in oil prices, but that appears unlikely in the near term.
FULL STORY: American Car Sales Just Set Another Record in 2016
Climate Concerns Largely Absent in Auto Showrooms
A consumer survey found that less than a third of respondents considered carbon emissions or the environment when they last purchased a motor vehicle, yet three-quarters of Americans consider climate change a major problem or crisis.
Fuel Efficiency Just Became Much More Important
Two widely cited University of Michigan transportation researchers urge consumers to drive more fuel efficient vehicles to reduce their own carbon emissions as President Trump works to relax vehicle fuel economy standards.
Hybrid and Electric Cars Take a Downturn in the Used Car Market
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.
Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023
The world is changing, and planning with it.
Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side
The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.
More Affordable Housing for People, Less for Cars
Most jurisdictions have off-street parking requirements that increase motorists’ convenience but reduce housing affordability. It’s time to reform these policies for the sake of efficiency and fairness.
In Rush to Build, Older Housing is Overlooked
Older homes provide an affordable housing lifeline, but poor conditions often lead to serious health impacts for residents.
Fire Officials Say More LA Freeway Underpasses at Fire Risk
The city’s fire department is surveying other underpasses for hazardous materials and other code violations that led to the November 11 fire that shut down a key interstate segment.
San Diegans at Odds Over ‘Granny Towers’
A provision in the city’s ADU ordinance allows developers to build an essentially unlimited number of units on single-family lots.
City of Morganton
San Joaquin County
University of New Mexico - School of Architecture & Planning
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Park City Municipal Corporation
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
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.
