The effect of the oil crisis in the mid-1970s and subsequent rise of smaller import vehicles is evident in the graph below, showing a dramatic fall in average vehicle weight from model years 1975 to the mid-1980s. Since that time, the average weight of both cars and light trucks has increased. In the last few years, the average weight seems to be leveling – in 2012, both cars and light trucks have a similar weight as in 2004. Interestingly, the average weight for cars remains well below 1975 levels while the average weight for light trucks remains well above 1975 levels.
Average Weight of New Cars and Light Trucks, Model Years 1975-2012
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Supporting Information
| Model Year | Cars | Light Trucks |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 4,057 | 4,073 |
| 1976 | 4,059 | 4,155 |
| 1977 | 3,944 | 4,136 |
| 1978 | 3,588 | 4,152 |
| 1979 | 3,485 | 4,257 |
| 1980 | 3,101 | 3,869 |
| 1981 | 3,076 | 3,806 |
| 1982 | 3,053 | 3,813 |
| 1983 | 3,112 | 3,773 |
| 1984 | 3,101 | 3,787 |
| 1985 | 3,096 | 3,803 |
| 1986 | 3,043 | 3,741 |
| 1987 | 3,035 | 3,718 |
| 1988 | 3,051 | 3,850 |
| 1989 | 3,104 | 3,932 |
| 1990 | 3,178 | 4,014 |
| 1991 | 3,168 | 3,961 |
| 1992 | 3,254 | 4,078 |
| 1993 | 3,241 | 4,098 |
| 1994 | 3,268 | 4,149 |
| 1995 | 3,274 | 4,201 |
| 1996 | 3,297 | 4,255 |
| 1997 | 3,285 | 4,394 |
| 1998 | 3,334 | 4,317 |
| 1999 | 3,390 | 4,457 |
| 2000 | 3,401 | 4,421 |
| 2001 | 3,411 | 4,543 |
| 2002 | 3,415 | 4,612 |
| 2003 | 3,437 | 4,655 |
| 2004 | 3,492 | 4,783 |
| 2005 | 3,498 | 4,763 |
| 2006 | 3,563 | 4,758 |
| 2007 | 3,551 | 4,871 |
| 2008 | 3,569 | 4,837 |
| 2009 | 3,502 | 4,753 |
| 2010 | 3,536 | 4,784 |
| 2011 | 3,617 | 4,824 |
| 2012 | 3,482 | 4,779 |
| Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2012, EPA-420-S-13-001, March 2013. | ||