Energy Use in Driving: Overview & Tips

Jan 12, 2012 | Autos

Energy use in driving is big.  While it is easy to blame it on the oil companies, each of us is a driver.  Read on to learn more.

THE BIG PICTURE

Driving is one of the consistently large energy users in most households, representing 12 to 20% of energy use. We're a nation of drivers, with the average household having 2 or more cars. The average vehicle is driven 12,000 miles per year, and gets 22 miles per gallon.

Sprawling neighborhoods can make living without a car difficult, but there may be opportunities to change driving habits in small but important ways, such as working from home one day a week, consolidating trips to the grocery store, or carpooling on occasion.

Buying a high mpg car is one of the most important energy-saving decisions a consumer can make.

SURPRISING FACTS

#1 Americans have a lot of cars.

Nearly 60% of households have 2 or more cars, and 8% have 4 or more. The phrase "addicted to oil" (George W. Bush, 2006 State of the Union) could easily be translated as "addicted to cars."
 

#2 More than 50% of driving trips are 10 miles or less.

Yes, a lot of driving is super-local, and this creates some very specific opportunities for saving energy - such as consolidating trips to the local grocery store, or car-pooling with neighbors, or biking.
 

#3 Over a hundred and twenty five 2012 model-year cars get 27 mpg or more.

If you are out to buy a car, buy a high mpg car; there are a lot to choose from.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Buy a high mpg car. This is one of the biggest energy savings decisions you can make. Savings of $800 - $1400 per year are typical at today's gas prices. Check out the WattzOn driving calculator for more details.

Work from home one day a week. Making these small changes can cut your gasoline use down by 5 to 10%.

Lighten your driving style. A light touch on acceleration and deceleration on the highway and the city can save up to a third of your fuel costs. Also use cruise control on the highway to save 10% or more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Check out the WattzOn driving tool to caluclate your annual driving costs and to check out how much you can save from a more efficient car. 

Read the details on our calculations for energy use in driving.
 

Keywords: driving, autos, energy use in driving, miles per gallon, how to save energy, auto emissions.