Light duty vehicle choice models examining alternative fuel technology preferences among commercial fleet owners

Abstract Agent-based transportation models are valuable tools for evaluating energy use, emissions and mobility impacts of transportation. In this context, vehicle ownership models are critical for linking personal and commercial activities to their impacts on the transportation system. Further, predicting the fuel type that is chosen by an establishment when purchasing a vehicle is important for modeling the impacts of commercial transportation on energy consumption and related outputs. This study develops an econometric model that can be used to predict the fuel technology that is chosen by an establishment when purchasing a Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) for business purposes. Factor analysis was also used to gain insights into the underlying preferences and needs of establishments, which drive the fuel choice decision. The results can be used in agent-based models or other models in simulations of the transportation system and energy consumption. The outcomes are also useful for modeling the adoption of alternative fuels among commercial fleet owners over time, which is important from both a policy perspective as well as an automobile manufacturer perspective.