What is the most efficient and equitable way to reduce vehicle emissions? Could prioritizing the top 10% of gasoline users and persuading them to switch to EVs result in a faster and more effective reduction in gasoline use?
A recent report from Coltura argues that using new gasoline consumption data can provide significant relief to the most gasoline-burdened US drivers and help cut gasoline use more rapidly and efficiently.
To maximize the positive economic and environmental impacts of EVs, the Coltura authors emphasize the importance of understanding the specifics of gasoline use in the US, including who, what, where, and why. By focusing on programs to assist the most gasoline-burdened drivers in making the switch to EVs, they believe it will not only save those drivers more money and reduce pollution, but also optimize the impact of public and private investments in cleaner transportation.
Coltura, an environmental nonprofit group in Seattle, has conducted an analysis indicating that a significant reduction in transportation emissions could be achieved if gasoline Super Users switched to EVs.
Understanding More about Gasoline Super Users
Here are some key facts about gasoline consumption in the US:
- The US consumes 370 million gallons of gasoline every day.
- The US consumption of gasoline is 3 times more than China and exceeds that of any other country.
- Gasoline use accounts for one-sixth of US carbon emissions.
- Gasoline burdens US households with over $450 billion a year in expenditure.
- To meet climate goals, a significant reduction in gasoline consumption is necessary.
“If we want electric vehicles to have the greatest impact, we need to get the highest mileage drivers behind the wheel,” says John Helveston, an assistant professor of engineering at The George Washington University, in an interview with the New York Times.
So who are the gasoline Super Users?
- They are drivers in the top 10% in terms of their gasoline consumption.
- Super Users drive an average of 116 miles per weekday, totaling about 40,200 miles per year.
- They account for roughly one-third of the nation’s gasoline use, comprising about 35% of all gasoline used in private light-duty vehicles among 21 million US drivers.
- Individually, they spend an average of 10% of their household income (around $530 per month) on purchasing gasoline.
- These drivers are more likely to live in rural areas and small towns and own vehicles that are larger and less fuel-efficient.
- Many Super Users fall within the low or middle-income range, some of whom have been compelled to move from cities due to rising housing prices, leading to long commutes.
The recommendations from the Coltura authors to facilitate Super Users’ transition to EVs include government initiatives to make gasoline reduction a central goal, pivot away from inefficient EV policies to data-driven decision-making, prioritize the switch of the biggest gasoline users to EVs, maximize the vehicle emissions and air pollution avoided per EV, provide financial relief to high-expenditure gasoline users, prepare utilities for the added electric demand, and redirect funds towards EVs and cleaner energy.
States may need to experiment with different policies to assist high-mileage drivers in switching to electric vehicles. Coltura suggests setting targets for reducing gasoline consumption to better track the effectiveness of these efforts.
A Case Study: Maryland’s Proposal to Encourage High Mileage Drivers to Choose EVs
Maryland is proposing an EV rebate worth up to $5,000 for people who drive long distances. Applicants would be required to trade in their older cars and demonstrate previous consumption of at least 800 gallons of gasoline per year. This program aims to help super users switch from internal combustion vehicles to EVs and potentially reduce on-road gasoline emissions by 30% or more.
The specifics of Maryland’s EV rebate program include:
Incentive: New EV = $5,000 point-of-sale bonus rebate (up to $15,000 fed + state + bonus). Used EV = $3,000 point-of-sale bonus rebate (up to $8,000 fed + state + bonus).
Eligibility/Limits: The same as the federal requirements (qualifying for federal incentives also qualifies for state-level incentives).
Implementation: Applicants must demonstrate the use of at least 800 gallons of fuel annually based on the average miles driven over the ownership of the trade-in vehicle. The state would provide trade-in vehicles that get at least 30 miles per gallon and pass Maryland vehicle safety inspection with no/minimal repairs to low-income families in need.
This and other policy changes are expected to reduce transportation sector GHG emissions by 88.1 MMTCO2e between now and 2050, with the state estimating a $20 billion societal benefit resulting from this level of emissions reduction.
The Coltura report, compiled by analyzing GPS data from millions of vehicles and Census Bureau surveys, provides nationwide details of consumer gasoline use down to the census block group level.