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Transportation—Logging the miles

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Transportation Energy Data Book Edition 37
Published yearly by ORNL for the Department of Energy, the Transportation Energy Data Book analyzes trends in petroleum, energy, light vehicles, heavy trucks, household vehicle characteristics and alternative fuel. Credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s latest Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 37 reports that the number of vehicles nationwide is growing faster than the population, with sales more than 17 million since 2015, and the average household vehicle travels more than 11,000 miles per year. ORNL researchers compile transportation data from 50 different existing sources for the Department of Energy, analyzing trends in petroleum, energy, light (cars, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks) vehicles, heavy trucks, household vehicle characteristics and alternative fuel. This tool provides accurate data on transportation activity that can help inform policy makers and analysts. “Cars and light trucks account for a significant amount of energy consumption, using 59 percent of all transportation energy,” said ORNL researcher Stacy Davis. “Transportation also accounts for almost 16 percent of all household expenditures.” The Transportation Energy Data Book publishes yearly and is available as a user-friendly online reference.