Fact #174: July 16, 2001
Potential Benefits of Alternative Future On-Road MPG Gains in Light Vehicles in 2010
According to Energy Information Administration (EIA) projections, light vehicles (light-duty cars and trucks) will use 9.7 million barrels per day and have an on-road fleet of 20.9 miles per gallon in 2010 (Annual Energy Outlook 2001 with Projections to 2020, p. 138).
The on-road mpg gain in light vehicles from 1976 to 1986 was 3.6 mpg. In the decade that followed (1986 to 1996) the on-road mpg gain was 3.2 mpg. In 2010, a 5% mpg gain over the projected the on-road fleet of 20.9 mpg would result in 1 mpg gain on-road. This, in turn, would save 4.8% of fuel, or 0.5 million barrels per day. Below is a table of potential on-road mpg gains and the associated fuel savings in light vehicles in 2010.
| MPG Gain On-Road |
% MPG Gain |
% Fuel Saved |
Fuel Saved (million bpd) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 5 | 4.8 | 0.5 |
| 2.1 | 10 | 9.1 | 0.9 |
| 3.1 | 15 | 13.0 | 1.3 |
| 4.2 | 20 | 16.7 | 1.6 |
| 5.2 | 25 | 20.0 | 1.9 |
| 6.3 | 30 | 23.1 | 2.2 |
| 7.3 | 35 | 25.9 | 2.5 |
| 8.4 | 40 | 28.6 | 2.8 |
| 9.4 | 45 | 31.0 | 3.0 |
| 10.5 | 50 | 33.3 | 3.2 |
|
Sources: P.D. Patterson, Quarterly Analytic Review, April 12, 2001. | |||
Return to Favorite Facts of the Week