Working Paper: NBER ID: w28219
Authors: Arik Levinson; Lutz Sager
Abstract: Regulators attest that tightened energy efficiency standards save consumers money. Efficient light bulbs, appliances, and vehicles cost more upfront but reduce energy expenses by more than enough to compensate. We use survey data on American cars and their drivers to examine whether individual drivers have indeed underinvested in fuel economy, given the gas prices they face and the miles they drive. We find that may be true, but only on average. Some drivers could likely have saved money by spending more upfront for efficient cars. But many others could have saved money purchasing less expensive, less fuel-efficient cars. In fact we find little correlation between individual drivers’ annual fuel expenditures and their fuel economy choices: a driver’s income, sex, age, and education are far more closely associated with their vehicle’s fuel economy. We can rule out several explanations for the disconnect. Rich car purchasers do not seem to consider fuel expenses any more than poorer ones, undermining arguments that borrowing constraints prevent low-income consumers from investing in fuel efficiency. And the disconnect between fuel expenses and vehicle choice holds whether we examine anticipated or realized mileage, ruling out mistaken expectations about future driving as an explanation.
Keywords: energy efficiency; fuel economy; consumer behavior
JEL Codes: Q48; Q58; R48
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| drivers' demographic characteristics (J21) | fuel economy choices (R48) |
| income (E25) | fuel economy choices (R48) |
| sex (J16) | fuel economy choices (R48) |
| age (J14) | fuel economy choices (R48) |
| education (I29) | fuel economy choices (R48) |
| fuel costs (L90) | fuel economy choices (R48) |
| annual fuel expenditures (Q41) | fuel economy choices (R48) |
| richer and poorer car purchasers (F61) | consideration of fuel expenses (Q40) |