Source: Federal Highway Administration; California Department of Transportation
Analysis by CEC Economics
Highlight
- From 2021 to 2022, VMT per registered vehicle increased by 2.2% (or 215 miles) to 10,130 miles. This marks the second continuous year of rebound after consistently decreasing from 13,063 miles per vehicle in 2000, as travel activities rebounded from pent-up demand, return to office notices, and easing of pandemic-related travel restrictions. Compared to 2019, the total vehicle miles traveled in 2022 is still 7.5% lower, VMT per capita is 6.3% lower, and VMT per registered vehicle is 6.5% lower. While an increase in VMT per vehicle may provide short-term benefits such as increased economic activity, it can also contribute to negative externalities such as increased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
Challenge
- The 2022 Scoping Plan includes more aggressive VMT targets, though they are not regulatory requirements. Previously, the target was 12% below 2019 levels by 2030 and 22% below by 2045. In the new plan, the targets are now 25% and 30% below 2019 levels by 2030 and 2045, respectively.45
45 Curry, Melanie. “CARB’s Scoping Plan for Climate Action Calls for Much Less Driving.” Streetsblog Cal. December 19, 2022. Available at: https://cal.streetsblog.org/2022/12/19/carbs-scoping-plan-for-climate-action-calls-for-much-less-driving
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