Who Values Future Energy Savings? Evidence from American Drivers
研究发现美国驾驶者中，只有平均而言更高效的车辆能省钱，许多驾驶者在低燃油效率的车上反而省钱；收入、性别、年龄和教育程度与燃油经济性关联更强，富人并不对燃油成本更敏感。
Regulators attest that energy efficiency standards save consumers money. More efficient light bulbs, appliances, and vehicles would cost more up front but reduce energy expenses by enough to compensate. Using data on American drivers and cars, we show this to be true, but only on average. Many drivers could save money in less fuel-efficient cars. In fact, we find little correlation between mileage and fuel economy. A driver’s income, sex, age, and education are far more closely associated with their vehicle’s fuel economy. Rich drivers are not more sensitive to fuel costs, undermining claims that borrowing constraints explain the mismatch.