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Vehicles registered in Canada travelled an estimated 80.5 billion kilometres during the fourth quarter of 2007, a slight decrease over the same quarter of 2006. Although driving was down compared with the same quarter in 2006, this was still the third highest fourth quarter total ever recorded by the survey. Gas prices and the weather likely played a role in driving habits. Compared with the same quarter in 2006, gas prices were higher, and the weather in much of Canada was worse in December.
Nationally, light vehicles (weighing up to 4.5 tonnes) travelled an average of 3,765 kilometres during the quarter, the second lowest fourth quarter average ever recorded by the survey. The average was lower because the decrease in vehicle kilometres was coupled with an increase in the number of vehicles covered by the survey compared with the previous year.
The share of kilometres driven by newer vehicles was the highest since the fourth quarter of 2004. Vehicles less than three years old accounted for 29% of all kilometres driven. The past few years have seen near record-breaking annual sales of new vehicles.
For the first time in at least four quarters, fuel efficiency worsened for light vehicles using gasoline in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with a year earlier. Fuel consumption for these was measured at 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Note: The survey measures the activity of all on-road vehicles registered in Canada with the exception of some vehicles such as buses, motorcycles, construction equipment and road maintenance equipment.
Available on CANSIM: tables 405-0005 to 405-0020, 405-0026 to 405-0036, 405-0039 to 405-0042, 405-0044 to 405-0046, 405-0053, 405-0054, 405-0099 and 405-0101 to 405-0110.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2749.
The October to December 2007 issue of The Canadian Vehicle Survey (53F0004XWE, free) is now available from the Publications module of our website.
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Réjean Doiron (613-951-5680; rejean.doiron@statcan.gc.ca) or Client Services (toll-free 1-866-500-8400; transportationstatistics@statcan.gc.ca), Transportation Division.
