Pandemic Fuel Use Data Shows Decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

From March to April 2020, many Oregonians stayed at home to reduce the spread of the virus. During this time, Oregon saw a 40 percent reduction in gasoline sales that equated to a decrease in consumption of over 57 million gallons of fuel.

From March to April 2020, many Oregonians stayed at home to reduce the spread of the virus. During this time, Oregon saw a 40 percent reduction in gasoline sales that equated to a decrease in consumption of over 57 million gallons of fuel.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected our daily energy use in many ways – perhaps most noticeably, in our transportation fuels use. From March to April 2020, many Oregonians stayed at home to reduce the spread of the virus. During this time, Oregon saw a 40 percent reduction in gasoline sales that equated to a decrease in consumption of over 57 million gallons of fuel. In the months of June, July, and August 2020, sales of gasoline in the state decreased by about 16 million gallons per month compared to 2019, about a 12.5 percent decrease on average.

Transportation accounts for 40 percent of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions, and while passenger vehicle fuel efficiency has improved, we still have a long way to go to meet Oregon’s GHG reduction goal of at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. When we use less gas for our cars, there is a direct reduction in GHG emissions. There is also an economic effect – because all of our petroleum-based transportation fuels are brought in from neighboring states, most of our fuel-related spending is sent out of Oregon. Learn more about where our transportation fuels come from.

During this time, we also noticed a trend in increased diesel use. As Oregonians chose no-contact ways to keep their homes stocked, food and goods were delivered by diesel-powered trucks. Delivery drivers were deemed essential workers to ensure that communities had supplies, and residents could stay home as much as possible. Preliminary data shows that diesel consumption may have been higher in 2020 than it was in 2019. While we’re waiting for the data to be confirmed, home deliveries continue to keep trucks on the road and could inspire increased developments in truck efficiency. Read more about using truck efficiency to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in our 2020 Biennial Energy Report.

It will be interesting to see what happens as the state reopens and our new routines emerge. Will more people continue to work from home? Will some businesses opt for an e-commerce only business model? Will public schools continue to offer both in-person and remote classes? As a post-pandemic Oregon evolves, there are opportunities to use alternative transportation options, like ride shares, public transportation, and biking to continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are some environmentally-friendly transportation resources:

Energy in Oregon, Get InvolvedGuest UserCOVID-19, Greenhouse Gases, transportation, Truck Efficiency