Abstract:In this study we investigate changes in travel among owners of partially automated electric vehicles. Partial automation has the potential to reduce driver fatigue and make driving less stressful; this and the reduced travel costs of electric vehicles could mean drivers choose to travel more. Using results from questionnaire surveys data from partial automation users we find that some drivers undertake more long-distance travel because of partial automation. Respondents who are younger, have a lower household income, use automation in a greater variety of traffic, road, and weather conditions, and those who have pro-technology attitudes and outdoor lifestyles are more likely to report doing more long-distance travel. We use propensity score matching to investigate whether automation causes any increase in annual vehicle miles travelled. For simplicity we focus only on the impact of Tesla Autopilot. The results of this show between 4,059-4,971 more miles per year due to partial automation. The results suggest that partial automation may increase vehicle miles traveled which would make reaching federal and state emissions targets more difficult. More research is needed on this topic to understand how pervasive the issue could be, especially since partially automated vehicles are available for consumers to purchase and use today.