Brief Project Description:
This research evaluates how improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency impacts the miles people drive and uncovers significant differences across urban, suburban and rural communities in Vermont. By analyzing data from 132,141 households that did not move between 2018 and 2019, we find that on average a 10% increase in fuel efficiency led to a 1.4% increase in miles driven – a 14% rebound effect. This rebound effect is even more striking in rural areas, where people are more automobile dependent and drive longer distances. Our findings reveal that the expected greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from increasing vehicle fuel-efficiency and vehicle efficiency policies may be overestimated, especially for rural regions.
Poster: (not provided)
National Science Foundation Grant Webpage Presentation Slides Presentation Recording
Presenter: Narges Ahmadnia, UVM
Contact: Narges Ahmadnia, UVM, narges.ahmadnia@uvm.edu; Gregory Rowangould, UVM, gregory.rowangould@uvm.edu