Jill Mislinski on trends in gasoline consumption….

Jill Mislinski, Advisor Perspectives, does an excellent job analyzing gasoline sales in the US, here…  The first chart shows total gasoline levels at not quite record levels made in 2005:

This chart shows per capita consumption of gasoline:

And here are some explanations from Jill:

“In addition to improvements in fuel efficiency, declines in gasoline consumption per capita can be attributable in large part to some powerful secular changes in US demographics and culture in general:

• We have an aging population leaving the workforce, which we clearly see in the sustained contraction in the employment-population ratio.
• There is growing trend toward a portable workplace and the ability to work from home.
• Social media has provided powerful alternatives to face-to-face interaction requiring transportation (Internet apps, games, the ubiquitous mobile phone for talk and texting).
• There has been a general trend in young adults to drive less (related to points two and three above). See this report at the U.S. PIRG website for details.
• The US is experiencing accelerating urban population growth, which reduces the per-capita dependence on gasoline.”