Factoids from Transportation Energy Data Book

The (US) Transportation Energy Data Book is full of gems. Here are some factoids from early in the book.

• The cost of oil U.S. dependence is estimated to have been $7 trillion dollars (in 1998 dollars) over the last 30 years (assume population averaged 250 million, 30 years, almost $1,000 per person per year.)
• Between 1991 and 2002, heavy truck energy use grew at a faster rate than for any other mode.
• The energy/passenger mile for automobiles is less than for the average transit bus. There is a great deal of variability across metropolitan areas in the efficiency of transit systems.
• Vehicles per thousand people varies greatly by region of the world
• SUVs accounted for 6.8% of all light vehicle sales in 1990 and 27% in 2003
• Between 1969 and 2001, the number of vehicles per licensed driver rose from 0.70 to 1.06
• The average new car price in 2002 was $21,440 (imported cars were $27,524 and domestic cars were $19,126)

[Lest there be any doubt that the world I grew up and live in is privileged]

US petroleum consumption:

1960 9.80 million barrels per day 45.9% of the world share
2003 20.04 million barrels per day 25.3% of the world share

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