Tracking National Household Vehicle Usage by Type, Age, and Area in Support of Market Assessments for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Abstract

This paper examines usage for household vehicles to support assessment of the market potential of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which require high usage rates for the technology investment to pay off. According to the 2009 National Household Travel Survey, about 40% of household vehicles were not used on the survey travel day. This study analyzed household vehicle use and non-use by vehicle type, age, and area type (metropolitan statistical area [MSA] and non-MSA). Vehicles used on survey day with or without a reported travel time and distance in the survey are considered “vehicles used.” All others are referred to as “vehicles not used.” The authors divided the “vehicles not used” into three categories: (1) left at home while using other household vehicles, (2) not used because travelers used other modes, and (3) no household trips. The “vehicle used” category comprises two categories: (1) those with distance and time data and (2) those with no travel data. Within these five categories, vehicles were further subdivided according to four vehicle types: car, van, SUV, and pickup. Each vehicle type was further subdivided in two age groups: 10 years or less ( 10). In addition, vehicle usage was compared in both MSAs and non-MSAs and during weekdays and weekends. Results indicate that most vehicles, especially pickups, are not used because the households own and use other vehicles. Moreover, SUVs — especially newer SUVs (