Although U.S. vehicle fuel economy increased by 8 percent between 1988 and 1994, U.S. households consumed more fuel in 1994 than in preceding years because they drove more miles. This result is from the 1994 Residential Transportation Energy Consumption Survey, a national sample survey representing the characteristics of the 84.9 million households nationwide that owned or had access to vehicles. Data from the survey, published in the Energy Information Administration report Household Vehicles Energy Consumption 1994, reveal trends in vehicle characteristics, vehicle-miles traveled, fuel consumption and expenditures, and fuel economy in the United States.

The improvement in the household fleet's fuel economy may be due in part to the retirement of older passenger cars. Fuel economy for passenger cars built after 1979 increased markedly, leveling off in the early 1990's. Older vehicles represent a smaller share of the vehicle stock, down to 13 percent in 1994 from 23 percent in 1991, and they tend to be driven fewer miles than the new vehicles replacing them.

An ongoing shift in the household fleet composition is restraining improvements in fuel economy. Passenger cars, at a 68-percent share in 1994, continued to dominate the fleet, but to a lesser extent than in 1988, when their share was 74 percent. In contrast, growth in the share of minivans and sport-utility vehicles between 1988 and 1994 was dramatic, rising from 5 percent of the total vehicle stock in 1988 to 11 percent in 1994. These vehicles are subject to less stringent fuel economy standards and tend to consume more fuel per mile traveled than passenger cars.

Household Vehicles Energy Consumption 1994 also relates household characteristics, such as family income and driver age, to vehicle characteristics, vehicle-miles traveled, and fuel use and expenditures.

Contact:

Ron Lambrecht, Office of Energy Markets and End Use

ron.lambrecht@eia.doe.gov

Phone: (202) 586-4962

URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/plugs/plhveh94.html