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Costly myths: An analysis of idling beliefs and behavior in personal motor vehicles

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  • Carrico, Amanda R.
  • Padgett, Paul
  • Vandenbergh, Michael P.
  • Gilligan, Jonathan
  • Wallston, Kenneth A.

Abstract

Despite the large contribution of individuals and households to climate change, little has been done in the US to reduce the CO2 emissions attributable to this sector. Motor vehicle idling among individual private citizens is one behavior that may be amenable to large-scale policy interventions. Currently, little data are available to quantify the potential reductions in emissions that could be realized by successful policy interventions. In addition, little is known about the motivations and beliefs that underlie idling. In the fall of 2007, 1300 drivers in the US were surveyed to assess typical idling practices, beliefs and motivations. Results indicate that the average individual idled for over 16Â min a day and believed that a vehicle can be idled for at least 3.6Â min before it is better to turn it off. Those who held inaccurate beliefs idled, on average, over 1Â min longer than the remainder of the sample. These data suggest that idling accounts for over 93Â MMt of CO2 and 10.6 billion gallons (40.1 billion liters) of gasoline a year, equaling 1.6% of all US emissions. Much of this idling is unnecessary and economically disadvantageous to drivers. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Carrico, Amanda R. & Padgett, Paul & Vandenbergh, Michael P. & Gilligan, Jonathan & Wallston, Kenneth A., 2009. "Costly myths: An analysis of idling beliefs and behavior in personal motor vehicles," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 2881-2888, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:37:y:2009:i:8:p:2881-2888
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Barkenbus, Jack N., 2010. "Eco-driving: An overlooked climate change initiative," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 762-769, February.
    2. Geir H. M. Bjertnaes, 2019. "Efficient Taxation of Fuel and Road Use," CESifo Working Paper Series 8019, CESifo.
    3. Montag, Josef, 2015. "The simple economics of motor vehicle pollution: A case for fuel tax," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 138-149.
    4. Wang, S. & Kim, A.A. & Johnson, E.M., 2017. "Understanding the deterministic and probabilistic business cases for occupant based plug load management strategies in commercial office buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 398-413.
    5. Chiu, Mei-Shiu, 2013. "Tensions in implementing the “energy-conservation/carbon-reduction” policy in Taiwanese culture," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 415-425.
    6. Roy, Murari Mohon & Wang, Wilson & Bujold, Justin, 2013. "Biodiesel production and comparison of emissions of a DI diesel engine fueled by biodiesel–diesel and canola oil–diesel blends at high idling operations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 198-208.
    7. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Brown, Marilyn A., 2015. "Deconstructing facts and frames in energy research: Maxims for evaluating contentious problems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 36-42.
    8. Geir H. M. Bjertnæs, 2019. "Efficient taxation of fuel and road use," Discussion Papers 905, Statistics Norway, Research Department.
    9. Huang, Yuhan & Ng, Elvin C.Y. & Zhou, John L. & Surawski, Nic C. & Chan, Edward F.C. & Hong, Guang, 2018. "Eco-driving technology for sustainable road transport: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 596-609.

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