The average American driver travels about 13,400 miles a year. The top 10% of drivers average about 40,200 miles a year and account for 35% of the nation’s gasoline use from private light-duty vehicles, meaning cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and minivans. Those 21 million Americans alone burn more gasoline than is burned each year in Brazil, Canada, and Russia combined.
These super drivers often live in rural areas and small towns, drive an average of 116 miles each weekday, and typically own vehicles that are larger and less fuel efficient. Many have long commutes to work because they were pushed out of cities by rising housing prices. Some are tradespeople who travel from site to site all day in their jobs.
Given the disproportionate amount of gasoline usage by this small segment of the population, the key to cutting vehicle emissions by adopting electric vehicles may rest with super drivers. And so far, not many of them have made the transition.
A report by the environmental nonprofit group Coltura contends that getting super drivers to switch to electric cars would lead to a much faster reduction in emissions.
The range of most recent electric cars is sufficient for most super drivers. The obstacles remaining include availability of convenient charging stations, but that is changing. Finding the right vehicle might also be a problem, but electric pickup trucks and large SUVs are entering the market.
The transition to electric vehicles is important for society, and the most active drivers need to take part in it.
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Web Links
Are You a Super Driver? Some States Want to Help You Go Electric.
Photo, posted January 9, 2025, courtesy of Phillip Pessar via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
