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Tables 5-8 and 5-8M. Single-Unit 2-Axle 6-Tire or More Truck Fuel Consumption and Travel

Over the past two decades, miles traveled per gallon by single-unit trucks increased by more than 50 percent. Between 1980 and 2004, the fuel consumed increased 34 percent whereas miles traveled increased by 104 percent. As a result, over these years, miles per gallon increased from 5.8 to 8.8.

Table in Excel format | Historical data

empty Cell 1980 1990 2000 2003 2004
Number registered (thousands) 4,374 4,487 5,926 (R) 5,849 6,161
Vehicle-miles (millions) 39,813 51,901 70,500 (R) 77,757 81,107
Fuel consumed (million gallons) 6,923 8,357 9,563 (R) 8,880 9,263
Average miles traveled per vehicle 9,103 11,567 11,897 (R) 13,295 13,164
Average miles traveled per gallon 5.8 6.2 7.4 (R) 8.8 8.8
Average fuel consumed per vehicle (gallons) 1,583 1,862 1,614 (R) 1,518 1,503

Key: R = revised

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2004 (Washington, DC: 2005), table VM-1 and similar tables in earlier editions.

Table 5-8M (metric units)
Table in Excel format | Historical data

empty Cell 1980 1990 2000 2003 2004
Number registered (thousands) 4,374 4,487 5,926 (R) 5,849 6,161
Vehicle-kilometers (millions) 64,073 83,527 113,459 (R) 125,138 130,529
Fuel consumed (million liters) 26,206 31,635 36,200 (R) 33,616 35,064
Average kilometers traveled per vehicle 14,649 18,615 19,146 (R) 21,396 21,186
Average kilometers traveled per litre 2.4 2.6 3.1 (R) 3.7 3.7
Average fuel consumed per vehicle (liters) 5,992 7,050 6,109 (R) 5,748 5,691

Notes: 1 mile = 1.61 kilometers; 1 gallon = 3.8 liters.

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2004 (Washington, DC: 2005), table VM-1 and similar tables in earlier editions.

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