10–1 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Chapter 10 

Transportation and the Economy 

Summary Statistics from Tables/Figures in this Chapter 

Source 

Figure 10.2 Share of gasoline cost attributed to taxes, 2010 

 Canada 35%

 France 62%

 Germany 63%

 Japan 46%

 United Kingdom 64%

 United States 18%

 Table 10.12 Average price of a new car, 2009 (current dollars) 23,186 

 Domestic 22,107

 Import 25,308

Table 10.13 Car operating costs, 2010 

 Variable costs (constant 2010 dollars per 10,000 miles) 1,673

 Fixed costs (constant 2010 dollars per 10,000 miles) 5,719

Table 10.17 Transportation sector share of total employment 

 2000 8.3%

 2010 7.1%

 
10–2 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

The Transportation Services Index (TSI) was created by the U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of 

Transportation Statistics (BTS). It is an index that measures the movement of freight and passengers. The Freight 

TSI consists of: 

• for-hire trucking (parcel services are not included); 

• freight railroad services (including rail-based intermodal shipments such as containers on flat 

cars);inland waterway traffic; 

• pipeline movements (including principally petroleum and petroleum products and natural gas); 

• and air freight. 

The index does not include international or coastal steamship movements, private trucking, courier services, or the 

United States Postal Services. 

The index does not include intercity bus, sightseeing services, taxi service, private automobile usage, or bicycling 

and other nonmotorized means of transportation.

Figure 10.1. Transportation Services Index, January 1990–January 2011 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Transportation Services Index Web site, 

www.bts.gov/xml/tsi/src. (Additional resources: www.bts.gov.) 
10–3 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Until 2007, gasoline prices in China were, on average, less than the United States. Since then, the United States 

prices are the lowest of these listed countries. Those in France, the United Kingdom, and Germany paid, on 

average, more than six dollars per gallon.

Table 10.1 

Gasoline Pricesa

 for Selected Countries, 1990–2010 

Current dollars per gallon 

Average annual 

percentage 

change 

 1990 1995 2000 2005 2007 2009 2010b 1990–2010 

China c 1.03 c 1.70 2.29 3.27 c c

Japan 3.16 4.43 3.65 4.28 4.49 4.86 5.93 3.2% 

Franced

 3.63 4.26 3.80 5.46 6.60 6.35 6.72 3.1% 

United 

Kingdomd

 2.82 3.21 4.58 5.97 7.15 5.86 6.81 4.5% 

Germany 2.65 3.96 3.45 5.66 6.88 6.81 6.86 4.9% 

Canada 1.87 1.53 1.86 2.89 3.59 3.15 3.72 3.5% 

United Statese

 1.16 1.15 1.51 2.27 2.80 2.34 2.72 4.3% 

Constant 2010 dollarsf

 per gallon 

Average annual 

percentage 

change 

 1990 1995 2000 2005 2007 2009 2010b 1990–2010 

China c 1.47 c 1.90 2.41 3.33 c c

Japan 5.27 6.34 4.62 4.78 4.73 4.94 5.93 0.6% 

Franced

 6.06 6.10 4.81 6.09 6.94 6.45 6.72 0.6% 

United 

Kingdomd

 4.70 4.59 5.80 6.66 7.52 5.96 6.81 1.9% 

Germany 4.42 5.67 4.37 6.31 7.24 6.92 6.86 2.3% 

Canada 3.12 2.19 2.36 3.22 3.78 3.20 3.72 0.9% 

United Statese

 1.94 1.65 1.91 2.54 2.94 2.38 2.72 1.8% 

Source: 

International Energy Agency, Energy Prices and Taxes, Fourth Quarter, 2010, Paris, France, 2011. (Additional 

resources: www.iea.org) 

Note: Comparisons between prices and price trends in different countries require care. They are of limited validity 

because of fluctuations in exchange rates; differences in product quality, marketing practices, and market structures; 

and the extent to which the standard categories of sales are representative of total national sales for a given period. 

 

 a

 Prices represent the retail prices (including taxes) for regular unleaded gasoline, except for France and the 

United Kingdom which are premium unleaded gasoline. b

 3rd quarter 2010. c

 Data are not available. 

d

 Premium gasoline. 

e

 These estimates are international comparisons only and do not necessarily correspond to gasoline price 

estimates in other sections of the book. f

 Adjusted by the U.S. Consumer Price Inflation Index. 
10–4 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Of these selected countries, the United Kingdom had the highest diesel fuel price average in 2010, while the United 

States had the lowest. Similar to the trend with gasoline prices, China’s diesel prices were lower than the United 

States until 2007. 

Table 10.2 

Diesel Fuel Pricesa

 for Selected Countries, 1998–2010

Current dollars per gallon 

Average annual 

percentage 

change 

 1998 2000 2003 2004 2005 2007 2009 2010b 1998–2010 

China c c 1.32 1.47 1.69 2.42 3.23 c c

Japan 2.25 2.85 2.76 3.08 3.45 3.82 4.19 5.04 7.0% 

France 2.71 2.95 3.39 4.16 4.81 5.66 5.27 5.59 6.2% 

United Kingdom 4.10 4.66 4.82 5.68 6.25 7.34 6.14 6.95 4.5% 

Germany 2.45 2.79 3.79 4.41 5.01 6.06 5.73 5.94 7.7% 

United Statesd

 1.04 1.50 1.51 1.81 2.40 2.88 2.46 2.94 9.0% 

Constant 2010 dollarse

 per gallon 

Average annual 

percentage 

change 

 1998 2000 2003 2004 2005 2007 2009 2010b 1998–2010 

China c c 1.57 1.70 1.89 2.55 3.28 c c

Japan 3.01 3.61 3.27 3.56 3.85 4.02 4.26 5.04 4.4% 

France 3.62 3.73 4.02 4.80 5.37 5.95 5.35 5.59 3.7% 

United Kingdom 5.49 5.90 5.71 6.56 6.98 7.72 6.24 6.95 2.0% 

Germany 3.28 3.54 4.49 5.09 5.59 6.37 5.83 5.94 5.1% 

United Statesd

 1.40 1.89 1.79 2.08 2.68 3.03 2.50 2.94 6.4% 

Source: 

International Energy Agency, Energy Prices and Taxes, Fourth Quarter, 2010, Paris, France, 2011 (Additional 

resources: www.iea.org) 

 

Note: Comparisons between prices and price trends in different countries require care. They are of limited validity 

because of fluctuations in exchange rates; differences in product quality, marketing practices, and market structures; 

and the extent to which the standard categories of sales are representative of total national sales for a given period. 

a

 Prices represent the retail prices (including taxes) for automotive diesel fuel for non-commercial 

(household) use. b

 3rd quarter 2010. c

 Data are not available. 

d

 These estimates are for international comparisons only and do not necessarily correspond to gasoline price 

estimates in other sections of the book. e

 Adjusted by the U.S. Consumer Price Inflation Index. 
10–5 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

In 2010 more than sixty percent of the cost of gasoline in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom went for taxes. 

Of the listed countries, the United States has the lowest percentage of taxes.

Figure 10.2. Gasoline Prices for Selected Countries, 1990 and 2010 

Source: 

Table 10.1 and International Energy Agency, Energy Prices & Taxes, Fourth Quarter, 2010, Paris, France, 2011. 

(Additional resources: www.iea.org.) 
10–6 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Diesel fuel is taxed heavily in the European countries shown here. The U.S. diesel fuel tax share is the lowest of the 

listed countries.

Figure 10.3. Diesel Prices for Selected Countries, 1990 and 2010

Source: 

Table 10.2 and International Energy Agency, Energy Prices & Taxes, Fourth Quarter, 2010, Paris, France, 2011. 

(Additional resources: www.iea.org.) 
10–7 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Though the cost of crude oil certainly influences the price of gasoline, it is not the only factor which determines the 

price at the pump. Processing cost, transportation cost, and taxes also play a major part of the cost of a gallon of 

gasoline. The average price of a barrel of crude oil (in constant 2010 dollars) increased by 114% from 2000 to 

2010, while the average price of a gallon of gasoline increased 43% in this same time period.

Table 10.3 

Prices for a Barrel of Crude Oil and a Gallon of Gasoline, 1978–2010

Crude oila

(dollars per barrel) 

Gasolineb

(cents per gallon) 

Ratio of 

gasoline to 

Year Current Constant 2010c Current Constant 2010c crude oil 

1978 12.5 41.7 65.2 218.1 219.8 

1979 17.7 53.2 88.2 264.9 209.1 

1980 28.1 74.3 122.1 323.1 182.7 

1981 35.2 84.5 135.3 324.6 161.3 

1982 31.9 72.0 128.1 289.5 168.8 

1983 29.0 63.5 122.5 268.2 177.5 

1984 28.6 60.1 119.8 251.4 175.7 

1985 26.8 54.2 119.6 242.4 187.8 

1986 14.6 28.9 93.1 185.2 268.7 

1987 17.9 34.4 95.7 183.7 224.5 

1988 14.7 27.0 96.3 177.5 275.7 

1989 18.0 31.6 106.0 186.4 247.7 

1990 22.2 37.1 121.7 203.0 230.0 

1991 19.1 30.5 119.6 191.5 263.5 

1992 18.4 28.6 119.0 185.0 271.2 

1993 16.4 24.8 117.3 177.0 300.2 

1994 15.6 22.9 117.4 172.7 316.3 

1995 17.2 24.7 120.5 172.4 293.7 

1996 20.7 28.8 128.8 179.0 261.2 

1997 19.0 25.9 129.1 175.4 284.8 

1998 12.5 16.7 111.5 149.2 374.0 

1999 17.5 22.9 122.1 159.8 292.9 

2000 28.3 35.8 156.3 197.9 232.3 

2001 23.0 28.3 153.1 188.5 280.2 

2002 24.1 29.2 144.1 174.7 251.1 

2003 28.5 33.8 163.8 194.1 241.1 

2004 37.0 42.7 192.3 222.0 218.4 

2005 50.2 56.1 233.8 261.0 195.5 

2006 60.2 65.2 263.5 285.0 183.7 

2007 67.9 71.5 284.9 299.6 176.1 

2008 94.7 96.0 331.7 335.9 147.1 

2009 59.3 60.2 240.1 244.0 170.1 

2010 76.7 76.7 283.6 283.6 155.3 

Average annual percentage change 

1978–2010 5.8% 1.9% 4.7% 0.8% 

2000–2010 10.5% 7.9% 6.1% 3.7% 

Sources: 

Crude oil - U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2011, 

Washington, DC, Table 9.1. 

Gasoline - U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2011, 

Washington, DC, Table 9.4. (Additional resources: www.eia.doe.gov) 

a

 Refiner acquisition cost of composite (domestic and imported) crude oil. 

b

 Average for all types. These prices were collected from a sample of service stations in 85 urban areas 

selected to represent all urban consumers. Urban consumers make up about 80% of the total U.S. population. c

 Adjusted by the Consumer Price Inflation Index. 
10–8 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Diesel fuel price has generally been lower than gasoline; however, from 2005 through 2010 the price of diesel fuel 

was higher than that of gasoline.

Table 10.4 

Retail Prices for Motor Fuel, 1978–2010 

(cents per gallon, including tax)

Diesel fuela Average for all gasoline typesb

Year Current 

Constant 

2010c Current 

Constant 

2010c

1978 d d 65 218 

1979 d d 88 265 

1980 101 267 122 323 

1981 118 283 135 325 

1982 116 262 128 289 

1983 120 263 123 268 

1984 122 256 120 251 

1985 122 247 120 242 

1986 94 187 93 185 

1987 96 184 96 184 

1988 95 175 96 178 

1989 102 179 106 186 

1990 107 179 122 203 

1991 91 146 120 191 

1992 106 165 119 185 

1993 98 148 117 177 

1994 111 164 117 173 

1995 111 159 121 172 

1996 124 172 129 179 

1997 120 163 129 175 

1998 104 140 112 149 

1999 112 147 122 160 

2000 149 189 156 198 

2001 140 172 153 189 

2002 132 160 144 175 

2003 151 179 164 194 

2004 181 209 192 222 

2005 240 268 234 261 

2006 271 293 264 285 

2007 289 303 285 300 

2008 380 385 332 336 

2009 247 251 240 244 

2010 299 299 284 284 

Average annual percentage change 

1978–2010 3.7%e

 -0.4%e 4.7% 0.8% 

2000–2010 7.2% 4.7% 6.2% 3.7% 

Sources: 

Gasoline - U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2011, 

Washington, DC, Table 9.4. 

Diesel - U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, International Energy Annual 2004, 

Washington, DC, June 2004, Table 7.2. 2005–2010 data from EIA Web site. (Additional resources: 

www.eia.doe.gov) 

a

 1980-1993: Collected from a survey of prices on January 1 of the current year. 1994-on: Annual average. 

b

 These prices were collected from a sample of service stations in 85 urban areas selected to represent all 

urban consumers. Urban consumers make up about 80 percent of the total U.S. population. c

 Adjusted by the Consumer Price Inflation Index.

d

 Data are not available. 

e

 Average annual percentage change is from the earliest year possible to 2010. 
10–9 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

The fuel prices shown here are refiner sales prices of transportation fuels to end users, excluding tax. Sales to end 

users are those made directly to the ultimate consumer, including bulk consumers. Bulk sales to utility, industrial, 

and commercial accounts previously included in the wholesale category are now counted as sales to end users.

Table 10.5 

Refiner Sales Prices for Propane and No. 2 Diesel, 1978–2010 

(cents per gallon, excluding tax) 

Propanea

 No 2. diesel fuel 

Constant Constant 

Year Current 2010b Current 2010b

1978 33.5 112.0 37.7 126.1 

1979 35.7 107.2 58.5 175.7 

1980 48.2 127.6 81.8 216.5 

1981 56.5 135.5 99.5 238.7 

1982 59.2 133.8 94.2 212.9 

1983 70.9 155.2 82.6 180.8 

1984 73.7 154.7 82.3 172.7 

1985 71.7 145.3 78.9 159.9 

1986 74.5 148.2 47.8 95.1 

1987 70.1 134.6 55.1 105.8 

1988 71.4 131.6 50.0 92.2 

1989 61.5 108.1 58.5 102.9 

1990 74.5 124.3 72.5 121.0 

1991 73.0 116.9 64.8 103.7 

1992 64.3 99.9 61.9 96.2 

1993 67.3 101.6 60.2 90.8 

1994 53.0 78.0 55.4 81.5 

1995 49.2 70.4 56.0 80.1 

1996 60.5 84.1 68.1 94.6 

1997 55.2 75.0 64.2 87.2 

1998 40.5 54.2 49.4 66.1 

1999 45.8 59.9 58.4 76.4 

2000 60.3 76.4 93.5 118.4 

2001 50.6 62.3 84.2 103.7 

2002 41.9 50.8 76.2 92.4 

2003 57.7 68.4 94.4 111.9 

2004 83.9 96.8 124.3 143.5 

2005 108.9 121.6 178.6 199.4 

2006 135.8 146.9 209.6 226.7 

2007 148.9 156.6 226.7 238.7 

2008 189.2 191.6 315.0 319.0 

2009 122.0 124.0 183.3 186.0 

2010 148.1 148.1 213.4 213.4 

Average annual percentage change 

1978–2010 4.8% 0.9% 5.6% 1.7% 

2000–2010 9.4% 6.8% 8.6% 6.1% 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2011, Washington, 

DC, Table 9.7. (Additional resources: www.eia.doe.gov) 

a

 Consumer grade. 

b

 Adjusted by the Consumer Price Inflation Index. 
10–10 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Prices of finished aviation gasoline and kerosene-type jet fuel began climbing in 1999 and peaked in 2008. In 2010 

the prices showed an increase over 2009.

Table 10.6 

Refiner Sales Prices for Aviation Gasoline and Jet Fuel, 1978–2010 

(cents per gallon, excluding tax)

Finished aviation gasoline 

Kerosene-type 

jet fuel 

Year Current 

Constant 

2010a Current 

Constant 

2010a

1978 51.6 172.6 38.7 129.4 

1979 68.9 206.9 54.7 164.3 

1980 108.4 286.9 86.6 229.2 

1981 130.3 312.6 102.4 245.6 

1982 131.2 296.5 96.3 217.6 

1983 125.5 274.8 87.8 192.2 

1984 123.4 259.0 84.2 176.7 

1985 120.1 243.4 79.6 161.3 

1986 101.1 201.1 52.9 105.2 

1987 90.7 174.1 54.3 104.2 

1988 89.1 164.2 51.3 94.6 

1989 99.5 175.0 59.2 104.1 

1990 112.0 186.9 76.6 127.8 

1991 104.7 167.6 65.2 104.4 

1992 102.7 159.6 61.0 94.8 

1993 99.0 149.4 58.0 87.5 

1994 95.7 140.8 53.4 78.6 

1995 100.5 143.8 54.0 77.3 

1996 111.6 155.1 65.1 90.5 

1997 112.8 153.3 61.3 83.3 

1998 97.5 130.4 45.2 60.5 

1999 105.9 138.6 54.3 71.1 

2000 130.6 165.4 89.9 113.8 

2001 132.3 162.9 77.5 95.4 

2002 128.8 156.1 72.1 87.4 

2003 149.3 176.9 87.2 103.3 

2004 181.9 210.0 120.7 139.3 

2005 223.1 249.1 173.5 193.7 

2006 268.2 290.1 199.8 216.1 

2007 284.9 299.6 216.5 227.7 

2008 327.3 331.5 305.2 309.1 

2009 244.2 248.2 170.4 173.2 

2010 302.8 302.8 220.1 220.1 

Average annual percentage change 

1978–2010 5.7% 1.8% 5.6% 1.7% 

2000–2010 8.8% 6.2% 9.4% 6.8% 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2011, Washington, 

DC, Table 9.7. (Additional resources: www.eia.doe.gov) 

a

 Adjusted by the Consumer Price Inflation Index. 
10–11 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

At the end of 2009, only three states offered tax exemptions to encourage the use of gasohol for transportation 

purposes. This list is quite short compared to the 30 states which offered gasohol tax exemptions twenty-five years 

ago.

Table 10.7 

State Tax Exemptions for Gasohol, 2009

State 

Exemption 

(cents/gallon of gasohol) 

Idaho 2.5 

Iowa 2.0 

Maine 6.5 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2009, October 2010, 

Washington, DC, Table MF-121T. (Additional resources: www.fhwa.dot.gov) 

Table 10.8 

Federal Excise Taxes on Motor Fuels, 2009

Fuel Cents per gallon 

Gasolinea 18.40 

Diesel 24.40 

Gasoholb

 18.40 

Other special fuelsb

 18.40 

CNG 18.30 

LNG 24.30 

LPG 18.30 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2009, October 2010, 

Washington, DC, Table FE-21B. (Additional resources: www.fhwa.dot.gov) 

 a All gasohol blends are taxed at the same rate. 

b

 Includes benzol, benzene, naphtha, and other liquids used as a motor fuel. 
10–12 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

These states have laws and incentives for alternative fuels production and/or use.

Table 10.9

Federal and State Alternative Fuel Incentives, 2011

State Biodiesel Ethanol 

Natural 

Gas 

Liquefied 

petroleum 

gas (LPG) 

Electric 

vehicles 

(EVs) 

Neighborhood 

electric 

vehicles 

(NEVs) 

Hydrogen 

fuel cells 

Aftermarket 

conversions 

Federal 34 29 27 27 22 2 27 6 

Alabama 7 5 4 4 3 0 3 0 

Alaska 2 3 4 2 2 1 2 2 

Arizona 7 6 13 13 13 1 11 0 

Arkansas 4 3 6 3 2 0 2 1 

California 13 10 25 16 30 3 22 5 

Colorado 8 9 11 8 6 1 7 3 

Connecticut 5 4 8 5 7 0 7 3 

Delaware 3 3 3 5 3 1 2 0 

Dist. of Columbia 1 2 4 3 5 0 3 0 

Florida 12 13 3 3 7 1 7 0 

Georgia 6 6 7 3 5 0 3 2 

Hawaii 8 10 5 5 9 1 6 0 

Idaho 4 2 3 3 0 1 2 0 

Illinois 20 18 10 9 10 2 9 4 

Indiana 12 17 9 6 5 1 5 3 

Iowa 13 18 6 5 7 1 5 1 

Kansas 9 14 5 4 1 1 1 1 

Kentucky 8 8 6 4 1 1 1 0 

Louisiana 6 10 12 5 4 1 1 2 

Maine 7 7 4 4 4 1 3 0 

Maryland 2 3 1 1 4 2 0 0 

Massachusetts 5 4 4 2 3 0 2 0 

Michigan 9 9 4 4 6 0 5 0 

Minnesota 9 11 3 2 5 2 4 0 

Mississippi 4 4 8 5 2 0 2 1 

Missouri 8 6 7 6 4 1 5 0 

Montana 8 7 4 4 2 1 2 1 

Nebraska 5 6 4 3 2 0 2 1 

Nevada 6 5 7 7 6 1 6 0 

New Hampshire 7 3 3 3 3 1 3 0 

New Jersey 2 2 4 4 4 1 2 0 

New Mexico 12 9 7 6 7 1 8 1 

New York 9 10 13 8 9 1 9 0 

North Carolina 13 11 6 6 6 0 5 1 

North Dakota 12 9 3 2 0 1 3 0 

Ohio 8 9 4 4 3 0 4 1 

Oklahoma 11 12 13 9 9 1 8 5 

Oregon 11 11 6 5 9 1 5 2 

Pennsylvania 6 5 5 3 3 0 3 1 

Rhode Island 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 0 

South Carolina 11 9 3 4 2 1 7 0 

South Dakota 9 9 1 2 0 0 0 0 

Tennessee 11 10 5 4 4 1 2 0 

Texas 9 9 14 10 8 1 6 3 

Utah 1 1 12 7 7 0 4 2 

Vermont 5 5 6 4 4 1 4 1 

Virginia 15 10 13 9 12 1 10 3 

Washington 18 14 9 8 19 1 6 4 

West Virginia 4 4 4 4 4 1 4 0 

Wisconsin 15 12 9 9 7 1 8 0 

Wyoming 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 

Totals 436 418 360 283 302 43 260 60 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. Data 

downloaded April 2011. (Additional resources: www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/laws/matrix/tech) 
10–13 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Table 10.10 

Federal and State Advanced Technology Incentives, 2011

State 

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) or 

Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) 

Fuel Economy or 

Efficiency Idle Reduction Othera

Federal 8 13 6 9 

Alabama 1 1 2 0 

Alaska 0 2 0 0 

Arizona 1 0 2 2 

Arkansas 0 1 2 0 

California 23 5 4 8 

Colorado 2 1 3 0 

Connecticut 6 2 3 3 

Delaware 2 2 3 0 

Dist. of Columbia 3 2 1 1 

Florida 3 1 2 1 

Georgia 0 1 3 1 

Hawaii 1 1 1 0 

Idaho 1 1 0 0 

Illinois 6 3 3 0 

Indiana 4 1 1 0 

Iowa 0 1 0 0 

Kansas 0 1 1 0 

Kentucky 1 1 0 0 

Louisiana 2 1 0 0 

Maine 1 1 2 1 

Maryland 3 0 1 2 

Massachusetts 2 0 1 1 

Michigan 7 2 1 0 

Minnesota 2 1 2 1 

Mississippi 1 1 0 0 

Missouri 0 0 1 0 

Montana 0 1 0 0 

Nebraska 0 0 1 0 

Nevada 5 0 1 0 

New Hampshire 2 1 3 0 

New Jersey 3 1 1 1 

New Mexico 2 1 1 1 

New York 4 1 3 2 

North Carolina 3 1 3 0 

North Dakota 0 0 0 0 

Ohio 0 0 2 0 

Oklahoma 3 0 1 0 

Oregon 3 3 4 5 

Pennsylvania 1 1 5 1 

Rhode Island 1 1 1 3 

South Carolina 3 0 2 0 

South Dakota 0 0 0 0 

Tennessee 4 2 0 0 

Texas 6 0 4 1 

Utah 2 1 2 0 

Vermont 3 3 2 1 

Virginia 4 3 2 1 

Washington 6 2 3 3 

West Virginia 1 0 2 0 

Wisconsin 5 0 2 0 

Wyoming 0 0 0 0 

Totals 141 68 90 49 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. Data 

downloaded April 2011. (Additional resources: www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/laws/matrix/tech) 

a

 Includes Clean Fuel Initiatives and Pollution Prevention. 
10–14 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

The average price of a new car in 2009 ($23,186) was very close to the average price in 1916 ($21,272) when 

adjusted for inflation. Average new car prices were at their lowest in 1940 ($11,898). Since 1914 the highest 

average price was in the year 1998 ($26,803). 

Table 10.11 

Average Price of a New Car, 1906–2009

Year 

2009 

Constant 

Dollars Year 

2009 

Constant 

Dollars Year 

2009 

Constant 

Dollars Year 

2009 

Constant 

Dollars 

1906 $36,588 1935 $14,783 1961 $19,410 1987 $25,280 

1908 $32,755 1936 $12,980 1962 $19,295 1988 $25,266 

1910 $27,877 1937 $13,340 1963 $19,082 1989 $24,864 

1912 $28,922 1938 $13,701 1964 $19,178 1990 $24,691 

1913 $31,007 1939 $12,800 1965 $18,815 1991 $24,376 

1914 $32,089 1940 $11,898 1966 $18,800 1992 $24,980 

1915 $26,681 1941 $12,052 1967 $20,657 1993 $25,048 

1916 $21,272 1942 $12,207 1968 $19,465 1994 $25,917 

1917 $19,650 1943 $12,361 1969 $19,465 1995 $25,281 

1918 $18,027 1944 $12,515 1970 $19,585 1996 $25,675 

1919 $17,847 1945 $12,620 1971 $19,822 1997 $25,712 

1920 $17,667 1946 $12,824 1972 $19,909 1998 $26,803 

1921 $18,749 1947 $12,978 1973 $19,579 1999 $26,669 

1922 $19,830 1948 $13,592 1974 $19,321 2000 $25,665 

1923 $18,027 1949 $15,839 1975 $19,739 2001 $26,013 

1924 $16,225 1950 $16,232 1976 $20,428 2002 $25,340 

1925 $16,044 1951 $16,508 1977 $20,583 2003 $25,238 

1926 $15,864 1952 $17,882 1978 $20,990 2004 $24,574 

1927 $15,684 1953 $17,904 1979 $20,233 2005 $25,284 

1928 $15,504 1954 $17,579 1980 $19,720 2006 $25,151 

1929 $15,323 1955 $17,483 1981 $21,029 2007 $24,721 

1930 $15,143 1956 $17,987 1982 $21,987 2008 $23,334 

1931 $16,946 1957 $19,982 1983 $22,845 2009 $23,186 

1932 $18,749 1958 $21,138 1984 $23,488 

1933 $17,667 1959 $21,183 1985 $23,603 

1934 $16,585 1960 $20,384 1986 $24,766 

Sources: 

Compiled by Jacob Ward, Vehicle Technologies Program, U.S. Department of Energy, from the following sources. 

Raff, D.M.G. & Trajtenberg, M. (1995), "Quality-Adjusted Prices for the American Automobile Industry: 

1906-1940," National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.; Gordon, R.J. (1990), The Measurement of Durable 

Goods Prices, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.; and U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of 

Economic Analysis (2010), National Income and Product Accounts. 

Note: Estimations were used for years 1941-1946. 

 
10–15 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

In current dollars, import cars, on average, were less expensive than domestic cars until 1982. Since then, import 

prices have almost tripled, while domestic prices have more than doubled (current dollars). 

Table 10.12 

Average Price of a New Car (Domestic and Import), 1970–2009 

Domestica Import Total 

Year 

Current 

dollars 

Constant 2009 

dollarsb 

Current 

dollars 

Constant 2009 

dollarsb 

Current 

dollars 

Constant 2009 

dollarsb

1970 3,708 20,503 2,648 14,642 3,542 19,585 

1975 5,084 20,273 4,384 17,482 4,950 19,739 

1976 5,506 20,760 4,923 18,562 5,418 20,428 

1977 5,985 21,188 5,072 17,956 5,814 20,583 

1978 6,478 21,316 5,934 19,525 6,379 20,990 

1979 6,889 20,357 6,704 19,811 6,847 20,233 

1980 7,609 19,811 7,482 19,480 7,574 19,720 

1981 8,912 21,034 8,896 20,996 8,910 21,029 

1982 9,865 21,932 9,957 22,136 9,890 21,987 

1983 10,516 22,651 10,868 23,410 10,606 22,845 

1984 11,079 22,876 12,336 25,472 11,375 23,488 

1985 11,589 23,107 12,853 25,627 11,838 23,603 

1986 12,319 24,114 13,670 26,758 12,652 24,766 

1987 12,922 24,404 14,470 27,327 13,386 25,280 

1988 13,418 24,334 15,221 27,603 13,932 25,266 

1989 13,936 24,111 15,510 26,834 14,371 24,864 

1990 14,489 23,783 16,640 27,314 15,042 24,691 

1991 15,192 23,930 16,327 25,718 15,475 24,376 

1992 15,644 23,922 18,593 28,431 16,336 24,980 

1993 15,976 23,719 20,261 30,081 16,871 25,048 

1994 16,930 24,508 21,989 31,832 17,903 26,917 

1995 16,864 23,740 23,202 32,662 17,959 25,281 

1996 17,468 23,885 26,205 35,831 18,777 25,675 

1997 17,600 23,526 27,509 36,771 19,236 25,712 

1998 18,479 24,322 29,614 38,977 20,364 26,803 

1999 19,032 24,508 27,542 35,467 20,710 26,669 

2000 18,577 23,144 27,447 34,195 20,600 25,665 

2001 20,042 24,279 25,787 31,238 21,474 26,013 

2002 18,897 22,535 27,440 32,723 21,249 25,340 

2003 19,971 23,285 26,081 30,409 21,646 25,238 

2004 18,910 21,476 28,409 32,265 21,646 24,584 

2005 21,593 23,720 26,621 29,243 23,017 25,284 

2006 22,166 23,588 27,062 28,799 23,634 25,151 

2007 22,273 23,046 27,487 28,441 23,892 24,721 

2008 22,166 22,087 25,908 25,816 23,417 23,334 

2009 22,107 22,107 25,308 25,308 23,186 23,186 

Average annual percentage change 

1970–2009 4.7% 0.2% 6.0% 1.4% 4.9% 0.4% 

1999–2009 1.5% -1.0% -0.8% -3.3% 1.1% -1.4% 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts, underlying 

detail estimates for Motor Vehicle Output, Washington, DC, 2011. (Additional resources: www.statusa.gov) 

a

 Includes transplants. 

b

 Adjusted by the Consumer Price Inflation Index. 

 
10–16 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

The total cost of operating a car is the sum of the fixed cost (depreciation, insurance, finance charge, and license 

fee) and the variable cost (gas and oil, tires, and maintenance), which is related to the amount of travel. The gas 

and oil share of total cost was 15.4% in 2010. 

Table 10.13 

Car Operating Cost per Mile, 1985–2010

Constant 2010 dollars per 10,000 milesa

Total cost per 

mileb (constant 

Percentage gas 

and oil of total 

Model year Variable cost Fixed cost Total cost 2010 centsa) cost 

1985 1,504 4,177 5,680 56.80 19.9% 

1986 1,297 4,590 5,887 58.87 15.1% 

1987 1,286 4,469 5,755 57.55 14.7% 

1988 1,456 5,585 7,041 70.41 13.6% 

1989 1,407 5,135 6,542 65.42 14.2% 

1990 1,401 5,432 6,834 68.34 13.2% 

1991 1,553 5,709 7,262 72.62 14.6% 

1992 1,399 5,881 7,280 72.80 12.6% 

1993 1,388 5,617 7,005 70.05 12.7% 

1994 1,339 5,644 6,983 69.83 11.8% 

1995 1,374 5,730 7,104 71.04 11.7% 

1996 1,334 5,827 7,162 71.62 10.9% 

1997 1,467 5,907 7,375 73.75 12.2% 

1998 1,431 6,057 7,489 74.89 11.1% 

1999 1,387 6,099 7,487 74.87 9.8% 

2000 1,545 5,982 7,527 75.27 11.6% 

2001 1,675 5,690 7,364 73.64 13.2% 

2002 1,430 5,908 7,338 73.38 9.7% 

2003 1,552 5,788 7,340 73.40 11.6% 

2004 1,454 6,502 7,957 79.57 9.4% 

2005 1,574 6,043 7,617 76.17 12.0% 

2006 1,633 5,069 6,702 67.02 15.3% 

2007 1,525 5,011 6,536 65.36 14.3% 

2008 1,718 5,468 7,186 71.86 16.4% 

2009 1,567 5,617 7,184 71.84 14.3% 

2010 1,673 5,719 7,392 73.92 15.4% 

Average annual percentage change 

1985–2010 0.4% 1.3% 1.1% 1.1% 

Source: 

Ward’s Communications, Motor Vehicle Facts and Figures 2010, Southfield, Michigan, 2010, p. 68, and annual. 

Original data from AAA “Your Driving Costs.” 

 

a

 Adjusted by the Consumer Price Inflation Index. 

b

 Based on 10,000 miles per year. 

 
10–17 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

While the previous table shows costs per mile, this table presents costs per year for fixed costs associated with car 

operation. For 2010 model year autos, the fixed cost is over $16 per day. 

Table 10.14 

Fixed Car Operating Costs per Year, 1975–2010 

(constant 2010 dollars)a 

License, Average 

registration Finance fixed cost 

Model year Insuranceb

 & taxes Depreciation charge Total per day 

1975 1,552 122 3,133 c

 4,807 13.17 

1977 1,834 262 2,999 c 5,094 13.95 

1978 1,395 243 2,942 c

 4,580 12.54 

1979 1,427 266 2,784 c

 5,352 14.66 

1980 1,297 217 2,747 c

 5,380 14.74 

1981 1,204 208 3,038 c

 5,605 15.36 

1982 998 120 3,015 c

 5,331 14.61 

1983 1,012 209 2,796 c

 5,157 14.13 

1984 1,043 219 2,492 c 4,844 13.28 

1985 942 223 2,557 1,082 4,805 13.17 

1986 1,013 259 2,626 1,267 5,165 14.15 

1987 1,027 246 2,868 1,010 5,150 14.11 

1988 1,056 256 3,288 1,041 5,642 15.46 

1989 1,134 253 3,549 1,034 5,970 16.35 

1990 1,123 275 3,932 1,134 6,465 17.72 

1991 1,134 269 4,009 426 5,837 15.99 

1992 1,223 270 4,223 1,237 6,954 19.05 

1993 1,123 269 4,271 1,011 6,673 18.29 

1994 1,131 285 4,326 953 6,696 18.35 

1995 1,120 290 4,397 982 6,789 18.60 

1996 1,174 299 4,406 998 6,877 18.85 

1997 1,151 283 4,445 1,043 6,933 18.99 

1998 1,204 302 4,500 1,088 7,094 19.44 

1999 1,270 296 4,497 1,084 7,146 19.58 

2000 1,228 282 4,422 1,075 7,008 19.20 

2001 1,220 256 4,369 1,066 6,911 18.94 

2002 1,229 244 4,510 1,004 6,987 19.14 

2003 1,306 243 4,430 882 6,860 18.80 

2004 1,850 479 4,366 855 7,551 20.69 

2005 1,438 434 4,331 825 7,028 19.26 

2006 1,002 579 3,669 774 6,024 16.51 

2007 1,036 566 3,567 771 5,940 16.27 

2008 955 561 3,363 768 5,647 15.48 

2009 992 576 3,518 792 5,878 16.10 

2010 1,031 585 3,554 806 5,976 16.37 

Average annual percentage change 

1975–2010 -1.2% 4.6% 0.4% c

 0.6% 0.6% 

2000–2010 -1.7% 7.6% -2.2% -2.8% -1.6% -1.6% 

Source: 

Ward’s Communications, Motor Vehicle Facts and Figures 2010, Southfield, Michigan, 2010, p. 68 and annual. 

 Original data from AAA “Your Driving Costs.” 

a

 Adjusted by the Consumer Price Inflation Index. 

b

 Fire & Theft: $50 deductible 1975 through 1977; $100 deductible 1978 through 1992; $250 deductible for 

1993 – on. Collision: $100 deductible through 1977; $250 deductible 1978 through 1992; $500 deductible for 

1993 – on. Property Damage & Liability: coverage = $100,000/$300,000. c

 Data are not available. 
10–18 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

Table 10.15 

Personal Consumption Expenditures, 1970–2010 

(billion dollars)

Personal consumption expenditures 

Transportation personal 

consumption expenditures 

Constant Constant Transportation PCE 

Year Current 2010a Current 2010a as a percent of PCE 

1970 648.3 2,952.3 80.8 368.0 12.5% 

1980 1,755.8 4,070.7 241.7 560.4 13.8% 

1990 3,835.5 5,878.4 455.7 698.4 11.9% 

2000 6,830.4 8,526.3 814.3 1,016.5 11.9% 

2001 7,148.8 8,726.5 829.6 1,012.7 11.6% 

2002 7,439.2 8,936.6 832.6 1,000.2 11.2% 

2003 7,804.0 9,177.3 874.2 1,028.0 11.2% 

2004 8,285.1 9,474.1 927.8 1,060.9 11.2% 

2005 8,819.0 9,758.6 1,000.3 1,106.9 11.3% 

2006 9,322.7 9,990.3 1,031.0 1,104.8 11.1% 

2007 9,806.3 10,208.0 1,076.2 1,120.3 11.0% 

2008 10,104.5 10,293.1 1,061.5 1,081.3 10.5% 

2009 10,001.3 10,096.7 913.5 922.2 9.1% 

2010 10,349.1 10,349.1 1,002.9 1,002.9 9.7% 

Source: 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts, Table 2.3.5, 

http://www.bea.doc.gov/bea/dn/nipaweb. 

Note: Transportation PCE includes the following categories: transportation, motor vehicles and parts, and gasoline 

and oil. 

 

Table 10.16 

Consumer Price Indices, 1970–2010

(1970 = 1.000) 

Year 

Consumer 

Price Index 

Transportation 

Consumer Price 

Indexb

New car 

Consumer 

Price Index 

Used car 

Consumer 

Price Index 

Gross National 

Product Index 

1970 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 

1980 2.124 2.216 1.667 1.997 2.702 

1990 3.369 3.213 2.286 3.769 5.585 

2000 4.438 4.088 2.689 4.994 9.562 

2005 5.034 4.637 2.597 4.468 12.191 

2006 5.196 4.824 2.591 4.487 12.895 

2007 5.344 4.925 2.566 4.351 13.578 

2008 5.549 5.215 2.527 4.293 13.921 

2009 5.529 4.780 2.554 4.070 13.655 

2010 5.620 5.157 2.599 4.587 14.213 

Sources: 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index Table 1A for 2010, and annual. 

 (Additional resources: www.bls.gov) 

GNP – U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts, 

Table 1.7.5. (Additional resources: www.bea.doc.gov) 

a

 Adjusted by the GNP price deflator. b Transportation Consumer Price Index includes new and used cars, gasoline, auto insurance rates, intracity 

mass transit, intracity bus fare, and airline fares. 
10–19 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

The data below were summarized from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Employment Statistics Survey 

data using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Transportation-related employment was 

7.1% of total employment in 2010. 

Table 10.17 

Transportation-related Employment, 2000 and 2010a

(thousands) 

Percent 

 2000 2010 Change 

Truck transportation (includes drivers) 1,405.8 1,244.1 -11.5%

Transit and ground transportation 372.1 432.4 16.2%

Air transportation 614.4 464.2 -24.4%

Rail transportation 231.7 214.9 -7.3%

Water transportation 56.0 62.8 12.1%

Pipeline transportation 46.0 42.4 -7.8%

Motor vehicle and parts - retail 1,846.9 1,624.5 -12.0%

Motor vehicles and parts - wholesale 355.7 309.4 -13.0%

Gasoline stations - retail 935.7 816.4 -12.7%

Automotive repair and maintenance 888.1 799.6 -10.0%

Automotive equipment rental and leasing 208.3 162.6 -21.9%

Manufacturing 2,143.9 1,382.0 -35.5%

 Autos and light trucks 237.4 127.5 -46.3% 

 Heavy-duty trucks 54.0 23.8 -55.9% 

 Motor vehicle bodies and trailers 182.7 107.6 -41.1% 

 Motor vehicle parts 839.5 415.1 -50.6% 

 Aerospace products and parts 516.7 477.1 -7.7% 

 Railroad rolling stock & other transportation equipment 72.7 53.3 -26.7% 

 Ship & boat building 154.1 125.5 -18.6% 

 Tires 86.8 52.1 -40.0% 

Oil and gas pipeline construction 72.2 94.2 30.5%

Highway street and bridge construction 340.1 289.0 -15.0%

Scenic & sightseeing 27.5 27.3 -0.7%

Support activities for transportation 537.4 540.1 0.5%

Couriers and messengers 605.0 527.1 -12.9%

Travel arrangement and reservation services 298.6 186.6 -37.5%

Total transportation-related employment 10,985.4 9,219.6 -16.1%

Total nonfarm employment 131,785.0 129,818.0 -1.5%

Transportation-related to total employment 8.3% 7.1% 

Source: 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site query system: www.bls.gov/ces/cesnaics.htm, (Additional resources: 

www.bls.gov) 

a

 Not seasonally adjusted. 
10–20 

TRANSPORTATION ENERGY DATA BOOK: EDITION 30—2011 

The total number of employees involved in the manufacture of motor vehicles decreased by almost 56% from 1990 

to 2010 and by about 64% for those involved in the manufacture of motor vehicle parts. Beginning in 2008, the 

share of production workers fell below 80% for manufacturers of both vehicles and parts. 

Table 10.18 

U.S. Employment for Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing, 1990–2010a

Year All Employees Production Workers 

Share of Production Workers 

to Total Employees 

Motor Vehicles 

1990 271.4 243.4 89.68% 

1991 258.4 234.8 90.87% 

1992 259.9 234.0 90.03% 

1993 263.7 234.8 89.04% 

1994 281.5 250.9 89.13% 

1995 294.7 273.7 92.87% 

1996 285.3 271.2 95.06% 

1997 286.8 273.6 95.40% 

1998 283.6 254.8 89.84% 

1999 291.3 254.3 87.30% 

2000 291.4 251.0 86.14% 

2001 278.7 236.4 84.82% 

2002 265.4 220.8 83.20% 

2003 264.6 217.1 82.05% 

2004 255.9 208.0 81.28% 

2005 247.6 198.6 80.21% 

2006 236.5 191.8 81.10% 

2007 220.0 177.3 80.59% 

2008 191.6 151.1 78.86% 

2009 146.4 114.2 78.01% 

2010 151.3 119.7 79.11% 

Motor Vehicle Parts 

1990 653.0 527.4 80.77% 

1991 638.9 514.7 80.56% 

1992 661.2 537.0 81.22% 

1993 677.8 554.7 81.84% 

1994 735.6 606.9 82.50% 

1995 786.9 647.7 82.31% 

1996 799.9 657.4 82.19% 

1997 808.9 662.4 81.89% 

1998 818.2 660.3 80.70% 

1999 837.1 674.2 80.54% 

2000 839.5 676.7 80.61% 

2001 774.7 624.9 80.66% 

2002 733.6 590.9 80.55% 

2003 707.8 567.6 80.19% 

2004 692.1 561.6 81.14% 

2005 678.1 553.9 81.68% 

2006 654.7 533.7 81.52% 

2007 607.9 488.9 80.42% 

2008 543.7 430.6 79.20% 

2009 413.7 317.8 76.82% 

2010 415.1 320.4 77.19% 

Source: 

Tabulated from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, March 2010. 

a

 Not seasonally adjusted.