Skip to main content
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Cars are Growing Older

April 20, 2009

The median age of cars continues to grow in 2008 while the median age of light trucks has remained fairly constant over the last ten years. The average age for all trucks, which includes heavy trucks, has not changed much over the last 20 years. In 1988 and 1978, the median age of trucks was higher than cars.

Median Age of Vehicles, 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008

Median Age of Vehicles, 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008

Median Age of Vehicles, 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008 (Years)

YearCarsAll TrucksLight Trucks
19785.75.8Not Available
19886.87.1Not Available
19988.37.17.6
20089.47.57.6

Source

R.L. Polk news release.