U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Program
Fact #409: January 30, 2006
Personal vs. Business Use of Pickup Trucks
A September 2005 survey of pickup truck owners shows that pickup trucks are predominantly used for personal transportation. Overall, pickup trucks are used for business/commercial purposes only about 21% of the time. The use of the truck varies by the weight of the truck; heavy pickups are used for business a greater share of time than light pickups are - 36% vs. 9%.
Question: What percent of the time do you use your pickup for personal use vs. business/commercial use? 
Supporting Information
Question: What percent of the time do you use your pickup for personal use vs. business/commercial use?
| |
Pickup Usage (Average) |
| |
Light Pickup |
Medium Pickup |
Heavy Pickup |
Total |
| Personal |
91% |
82.4% |
64.4% |
79.3% |
| Business |
8.9% |
17.6% |
35.7% |
20.7% |
|
Source: R.L. Polk and Company, Pickup Truck Usage Study, prepared for Environmental Defense, September 2005, N=301. Survey respondents owned 2004 or 2005 model year pickup trucks. |
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