Energy Efficiency And The Jevons Paradox

This article in response to those who argue that the use of energy efficient equipment will not reduce co2 emissions. That argument is called the Jevons Paradox. Articles have recently been written in The New Yorker and the WSJ that extend the Jevons Paradox to the use of energy efficient cars like the Prius. The Prius Paradox assumes that owners of energy efficient vehicles will drive more miles because of the lower cost and there will be no reduction in co2 emissions. The data collected in California show that Prius owners do not drive more miles that owners of other vehicles. They save about $1,500 in energy expenditures and there is no evidence that they spend their savings on other forms of energy consumption. This article will not be reported in the WSJ or in other media owned by Rupert Murdoch.