Data Source: Federal Highway Administration; California Department of Transportation.
Analysis by CEC Economics
Highlight
- From 2022 to 2023, VMT per registered vehicle increased by 0.3% (or 30 miles) to 10,160 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 lower public transportation utilization (UPT) across the state compared to pre-pandemic levels. While an increase in VMT per vehicle may provide increased economic activity in the short-term, it can contribute to negative externalities such as increased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
Challenge
- The 2022 Scoping Plan references 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. Under the new plan, the targets are now 25% and 30% below 2019 levels by 2030 and 2045, respectively.44 In 2023, VMT per capita was 6.7% below the 2019 level, so the state has considerable progress to make in order to meet the goals of 12% or 25% below by 2030.
44 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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