U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #238: October 14, 2002
Automobile and Truck Population by Vehicle Age: 2001

More than 216 million highway vehicles were in use during 2001. About 40% of those were trucks, including large rigs, pickup trucks, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and vans. The average age of trucks has declined over the past five years and is now 7 years. The average age of automobiles has increased in that same time period and is now 9 years. The distribution of automobiles and trucks by vehicle age is shown in the graph.

Graph: Automobile and Truck Population by Vehicle Age, 2001

Supporting Information

Age Automobiles Trucks
1 year old and newer 6,183 6,213
2 years old 8,882 7,958
3 years old 8,093 7,522
4 years old 7,555 6,398
5 years old 7,860 6,109
6 years old 7,337 5,122
7 years old 8,555 5,574
8 years old 7,471 5,042
9 years old 7,420 4,148
10 years old 6,807 3,395
11 years old 6,810 3,221
12 years old 6,692 3,039
13 years old 6,742 3,345
14 years old 6,189 3,112
15 years old 5,345 2,544
Older than 15 years 20,773 15,227
Total 2001 population 128,714 87,969

Source: The Polk Company. Permission for further use must be obtained from The Polk Company.

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