Alternative Fuels Won't Change the Expense of Driving

One of the conclusions of a new study in the San Francisco Bay Area is that switching to electric and alternative fuel cars won't reduce the burden on households because ownership is the most significant expense. Thus, density is the only way out.

1 minute read

November 20, 2009, 12:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur

From Streetsblog: "California residents living in sprawling suburban developments could save billions of dollars every year if they lived in denser, urban zones and along transit corridors, according to a study released today by smart growth and transit advocates TransForm.

"In the Bay Area, where annual car ownership costs on average over $8,000 per person, individuals spend roughly $34 billion every year on personal transportation costs, compared to only $4.6 billion spent by public agencies on transit and roads combined. Households with poor access to public transit not only spend double the amount per year on transportation when compared to those with good access to transit, they produce more than double the amount of CO2, a greenhouse gas."

Thanks to Matthew Roth

FULL STORY: New Study Quantifies High Personal Costs of Building California Cities for Cars

Thursday, November 19, 2009 in Streetsblog San Francisco

Transportation California Density Commuting

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