The debate surrounding consumers’ preference for owning and driving Electric Vehicles (EVs) is ongoing, but recent data from the federal government reveals that diesel vehicles actually lead the pack in terms of annual average miles driven. According to the 2022 National Household Travel Survey published by Energy.gov, diesel vehicles averaged 17,500 miles in 2022, outpacing both gas and electric vehicles, which managed 14,100 and 12,400 miles respectively. Plug-in hybrids came in second, with an average of just over 16,000 miles, while traditional hybrids saw around 15,000 miles driven. This data specifically focuses on household miles driven and excludes commercial vehicles, indicating a prevalence of diesel pickup trucks in the mix.
### Diesel Vehicles Trump Gas and Electric in Annual Miles Driven
The study was conducted in 2022, a time when EVs were not as common in the market compared to now in 2024. Despite the growing popularity of EVs, the market share for electric vehicles in the U.S. only stood at 5.9 percent in 2022, rising to 7.6 percent in the following year. However, sales of EVs did not surpass 1 million units until 2023. Plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, present an interesting trend as their sales have been overtaken by EVs for the past decade. This discrepancy raises questions about whether consumers are fully utilizing the electric capabilities of their PHEVs or primarily relying on the combustion engine.
### Significance of Plug-In Hybrids in Average Miles Driven
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some Americans may not be maximizing the potential of their Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), possibly driving them without charging them and relying on their limited electric range less frequently. Notably, Jeep’s Wrangler 4xe PHEVs have seen significant sales since their launch in 2021, potentially influencing the overall miles driven figures. However, the government’s data does not provide specifics on how the miles were driven or whether any portion of the miles were covered solely on battery power, leaving room for interpretation.
### Growing Trend of Electric Vehicle Adoption
With EVs becoming more prevalent in the market, it is expected that their market share will continue to increase in 2024. Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles, the data from the National Household Travel Survey reveals that diesel vehicles are currently dominating in terms of average miles driven. It will be interesting to see how this trend evolves as EV infrastructure improves and more consumers make the switch to electric driving.
### Conclusion
The comparison of average miles driven by diesel, gas, and electric vehicles sheds light on the current consumer preferences and usage patterns. While diesel vehicles lead the pack in terms of distance covered, the increasing popularity of electric vehicles suggests a shift in the automotive landscape. As more consumers embrace EV technology and infrastructure expands, it is likely that the annual average miles driven by electric vehicles will steadily increase in the coming years, challenging the dominance of diesel in the market.