Skip to content
Support your local source for news and music...
and you could win a $500 Trader Joe's gift card.
Support CapRadio today and you could win a $500 Trader Joe's gift card.
2019 Year-End | Trader Joe's
Donate Now

Donate by 9am to double your chances of winning

Donate by 9am to double your chances of winning

View thank you gift options

Capital Public Radio

Capital Public Radio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight with Beth Ruyak
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  •  

Californians With Fuel-Efficient Cars Fall Prey To "Diet Soda" Effect

  •  Randol White 
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 | Sacramento, CA | Permalink
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Maiko Walk 27 / flickr
 

Maiko Walk 27 / flickr

Just as studies have shown that people who order diet drinks tend to increase their consumption of unhealthy foods, new research out of UC Davis shows Californians do a similar thing when it comes to their vehicles.

What they found is that Californians tend to buy larger, gas-guzzling vehicles if their other car is a fuel-efficient model.

The study looked at two-car households using data from the Department of Motor Vehicles stretching from 2001 to 2007.

"What we find is that if they initially bought a car that is more efficient, they're going to buy a less-efficient car today," said David Rapson with the Davis Energy Economics Program, one of the paper's co-authors.

In addition, the research found those with more fuel-efficient vehicles ended up driving farther. All in all, fuel savings were reduced by 60 percent in these households.

"If our goal is to reduce the amount of gasoline that's being consumed, then we would want people to drive less," Rapson said. "So, if you are implementing a policy that makes more car efficient and that also causes people to drive more, then that's going to create an unintended consequence in that regulation."

But there are still overall fuel savings, he said.

"What we're not saying is this policy is self-defeating," Rapson said. "We're not even, in this paper, saying that it's not the best policy, although we have a belief that there are probably better policies out there."

Rapson said the intent of the study is to help the state meet its climate change goals.

The data did not include households with electric cars.

The paper is currently being peer reviewed.

 fuel efficiency

Randol White

All Things Considered Anchor/Reporter

Randol White is an award-winning, accomplished, and well-rounded broadcast journalist with more than two decades of radio, television, web and print experience.  Read Full Bio 

 @RandolWhite  Email Randol White

Comments

Sign up for ReCap

and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Most Viewed

Ceres Pays $4.1 Million To Settle Two Fatal Shooting Lawsuits Involving The Same Officer

What's The Best Way To Help Homeless Sacramento Residents? Here's What They Say.

Placer County To Inspect Carbon Monoxide Alarms In Short-Term Rentals After Close Call In Tahoe

PG&E Withheld Information About Medically At-Risk Customers Ahead Of Major Power Shutoff

California Legislature Won't Disclose Latest Sexual Harassment Complaint Data

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Ceres Pays $4.1 Million To Settle Two Fatal Shooting Lawsuits Involving The Same Officer

What's The Best Way To Help Homeless Sacramento Residents? Here's What They Say.

Placer County To Inspect Carbon Monoxide Alarms In Short-Term Rentals After Close Call In Tahoe

PG&E Withheld Information About Medically At-Risk Customers Ahead Of Major Power Shutoff

California Legislature Won't Disclose Latest Sexual Harassment Complaint Data

Back to Top

  • 7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Recap Newsletter

Capital Public Radio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2019, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.