After seven decades of growth, the U.S. has now seen four consecutive years of declines in gasoline consumption and various experts believe the trend will continue for decades to come.

An article from the AP details how the recent decline gasoline consumption is not just about the global recession, but is due to many other factors, including more fuel-efficient cars, people driving less, ethanol mandates, and more expensive gasoline.  And the decline is expected to accelerate, even though projections put 17 million more cars on the road 10 years from now.  Why?

Starting with the 2012 model year, cars will have to hit a higher fuel economy target for the first time since 1990. Each carmaker’s fleet must average 30.1 mpg, up from 27.5. By the 2016 model year, that number must rise to 35.5 mpg. And, starting next year, SUVs and minivans, once classified as trucks, will count toward passenger vehicle targets.

…Gasoline prices are forecast to stay high as developing economies in Asia and the Middle East use more oil.

There are demographic factors at work, too. Baby boomers will drive less as they age. The surge of women entering the work force and commuting has leveled off in recent decades. And the era of Americans commuting ever farther distances appears to be over. One measure of this, vehicle miles traveled per licensed driver, began to flatten in the middle of the last decade after years of sharp growth.

h/t: Otis White