Mexican Media Brands
Americans Drive Less, Own Fewer Vehicles
The number of cars and light trucks on the road in the U.S. and the average distance they travel has been shrinking for a decade, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
#economics
Share
The number of cars and light trucks on the road in the U.S. and the average distance they travel has been shrinking for a decade, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
An analysis by UMTRI researcher Michael Sivak finds that vehicle use grew steadily between 1984 and 2004 but has declined since then.
This year's annual averages for the country's passenger car fleet are about 12,500 miles per licensed driver, 11,300 miles per registered vehicle and 22,100 miles per household. Those numbers compare with peaks in 2004 of 13,700 miles, 11,900 miles and 24,300 miles, respectively.
The reduction in miles driven began before the economic crisis, Sivak notes. His earlier research found the same trend in the number of registered vehicles. The two analyses suggest that long-term societal shifts, such as urbanization and increased telecommuting, may be eroding the need for vehicles.
But Sivak also says continuing decline in the numbers of vehicles per driver and per household could eventually lead to gains in average miles driven for the remaining vehicles in the shrinking national fleet.
RELATED CONTENT
-
On Global EV Sales, Lean and the Supply Chain & Dealing With Snow
The distribution of EVs and potential implications, why lean still matters even with supply chain issues, where there are the most industrial robots, a potential coming shortage that isn’t a microprocessor, mapping tech and obscured signs, and a look at the future
-
Enterprise Edges into Self-Driving Car Market
U.S. rental car giant Enterprise Holdings Inc. is the latest company to venture into the world of self-driving vehicles.
-
On Headlights, Tesla's Autopilot, VW's Electric Activities and More
Seeing better when driving at night, understanding the limits of “Autopilot,” Volkswagen’s electric activities, and more.