“Americans have gotten comfortable [with] working from home and buying online,” said Gary Silberg, KPMG International Limited partner and automotive sector global head.
Do the changes in lifestyle and increased reliance on travel in motor vehicles mean we are driving more miles or less?
KPMG recently published a report, "Automotive’s New Reality: Fewer Trips, Fewer Miles, Fewer Cars?," which highlights the decrease in the amount of miles driven by Americans.
According to Silberg, in 2019, Americans racked up 3 trillion miles behind the wheel.
“That amounts to 337 round trips from Earth to Pluto,” added Silberg. “But suddenly driving was disrupted by COVID-19.”
According to the report, as many began working from home, the amount of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) declined by 64%, or 160 billion miles.
The New Reality for Vehicle Usage
COVID-19’s effects are expected to be felt for years to come, according to the report.
“We believe the changes in commuting and e-commerce are here to stay and that the combined effect or reduced commuting could be as much as...