Discussion Papers no. 629

Does market power matter?

The effects of transport regulation on the oil market

Popular instruments to regulate consumption of oil in the transport sector include fuel taxes, biofuel requirements, and fuel efficiency. Their impacts on oil consumption and price vary. One important factor is the market setting. We show that if market power is present in the oil market, the directions of change in consumption and price may contrast those in a competitive market. As a result, the market setting impacts not only the effectiveness of the policy instruments to reduce oil consumption, but also terms of trade and carbon leakage. In particular, we show that under monopoly, reduced oil consumption due to increased fuel efficiency will unambiguously increase the price of oil.

Om publikasjonen

Tittel

The effects of transport regulation on the oil market. Does market power matter?

Ansvarlige

Snorre Kverndokk, Knut Einar Rosendahl

Serie og -nummer

Discussion Papers no. 629

Utgiver

Statistics Norway

Emne

Discussion Papers

Antall sider

35

Målform

Engelsk

Om Discussion Papers

Discussion papers comprise research papers intended for international journals and books. A preprint of a Discussion Paper may be longer and more elaborate than a standard journal article as it may include intermediate calculations, background material etc.

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