What is Jevon's Paradox? | Concepts

Jevon's Paradox is the counterintuitive idea that improvements in efficiency (in this case fuel) tend to increase, rather than decrease, overall use of that resource (in this case fuel).

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In 1865, William Stanley Jevons, a British economist, observed that despite significant improvements in coal efficiency in steam engines, total coal consumption actually rose. Rather than saving fuel, efficiency made coal-powered energy more economical, driving increased industrial use. This observation became known as Jevon's Paradox.

Modern Examples of Jevon's Paradox

Though first identified towards the end of the Industrial Revolution, Jevon's Paradox is still highly relevant today, particularly in discussions around energy efficiency, sustainability, and technology.

• Fuel-efficient cars – When vehicles become more fuel-efficient, the cost per mile driven decreases. As a result, people tend to , offsetting the efficiency gains.