| Energy efficiency of road passenger travel | |
| Change since | |
 |
1970 |
|
1990 |
|
1998 |
Coverage: United Kingdom
Source: DfT, DTI
Note: [1] Excludes diesel and four wheel drive cars
| Average fuel efficiency of new cars | |
| Change since | |
|
1970 |
|
1990 |
|
1998 |
Coverage: Great Britain
Source: DfT
- Between 1970 and 2002, the distance travelled by road passengers increased by 89 per cent and fuel use increased by 76 per cent. Fuel consumption per road passenger mile has historically remained fairly constant but in 2002 was 8 per cent lower than in 1970.
- Between 1998 and 2002, fuel consumption per road passenger mile decreased by 2 per cent.
- The average fuel efficiency of new cars improved from 29 miles per gallon in 1978 to 37 miles per gallon in 2002, the highest it has been.
- Between 1998 and 2002, average fuel efficiency improved by 6 per cent.