The energy rebound effect refers to the fact that improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency can lead, paradoxically, to an increase in energy consumption. In the context of transportation, the rebound effect is observed when improved vehicle fuel efficiency leads drivers to increase their mileage and, consequently, their gas consumption, and even the size of their vehicle... which ultimately leads to an increase, rather than a reduction, in GHG emissions. This phenomenon explains in part why these emissions continue to grow in Quebec and Canada despite energy gains.
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