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

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #613: March 8, 2010
Vehicle Occupancy Rates

The average number of persons occupying a car is 1.59 and has not changed much since 1995. The largest increases from 1995 to 2009 have been in the occupancy rates for vans – from 2.07 to 2.35 – and sport-utility vehicles – from 1.70 to 1.92 persons per vehicle.

Average Vehicle Occupancy, 1995, 2001, and 2009
Graph showing the average vehicle occupancy (car, van, sport utility, pickup, other truck, and motorcycle) for the years 1995, 2001, and 2009. For more detailed information, see the table below.

Supporting Information

Average Vehicle Occupancy, 1995, 2001, and 2009
Mode 1995 2001 2009
Car 1.59 1.57 1.59
Van 2.07 2.22 2.35
Sport utility 1.70 1.76 1.92
Pickup 1.38 1.48 1.49
Other truck 1.12 1.18 1.12
Motorcycle 1.18 1.22 1.18

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, 2001 and 2009 National Household Travel Survey.
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1995 NPTS Databook, October 2001, p. 7-13.

 

Return to 2010 Facts of the Week