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Fueling electrification: The impact of gas prices on hybrid car usage

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  • Grigolon, Laura
  • Park, Eunseong
  • Remmy, Kevin

Abstract

We use micro-level data on fuel consumption, mileage, and travel mode to study plug-in hybrid drivers' response to fuel prices. When fuel prices rise, plug-in hybrids reduce fuel consumption more than gasoline and diesel cars. They do not reduce their mileage but increase electric recharging, without evidence of habit formation. As the share of kilometers driven in electric mode by plug-in hybrids is only half the official test cycle value, fuel prices are effective in improving the environmental performance of these vehicles. We estimate drivers' value of charging time at €15 to €41/hour.

Suggested Citation

  • Grigolon, Laura & Park, Eunseong & Remmy, Kevin, 2024. "Fueling electrification: The impact of gas prices on hybrid car usage," ZEW Discussion Papers 24-017, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewdip:300273
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    1. Johannes Gessner & Wolfgang Habla & Benjamin Rübenacker & Ulrich J. Wagner, 2025. "No Place Like Home: Charging Infrastructure and the Environmental Advantage of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2025_663, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fuel price elasticity; automobiles; carbon emissions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General
    • Q31 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Demand and Supply; Prices

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