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Vehicle Miles (Not) Traveled: Why Fuel Economy Requirements Don't Increase Household Driving

Author

Listed:
  • Jeremy West
  • Mark Hoekstra
  • Jonathan Meer
  • Steven L. Puller

Abstract

A major concern with addressing the negative externalities of gasoline consumption by regulating fuel economy, rather than increasing fuel taxes, is that households respond by driving more. This paper exploits a discrete threshold in the eligibility for Cash for Clunkers to show that fuel economy restrictions lead households to purchase vehicles that have lower cost-per-mile, but are also smaller and lower-performance. Whereas the former effect can increase driving, the latter effect can reduce it. Results indicate these households do not drive more, suggesting that behavioral responses do not necessarily undermine the effectiveness of fuel economy restrictions at reducing gasoline consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy West & Mark Hoekstra & Jonathan Meer & Steven L. Puller, 2015. "Vehicle Miles (Not) Traveled: Why Fuel Economy Requirements Don't Increase Household Driving," NBER Working Papers 21194, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21194
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Soren T. Anderson & James M. Sallee, 2016. "Designing Policies to Make Cars Greener: A Review of the Literature," NBER Working Papers 22242, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Augustus De Melo, Conrado & De Martino Jannuzzi, Gilberto & De Mello Santana, Paulo Henrique, 2018. "Why should Brazil to implement mandatory fuel economy standards for the light vehicle fleet?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1166-1174.

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    JEL classification:

    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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