February 2024 Gasoline Phaseout News
Crossing the Chasm: How Superusers Can Bridge the EV Gap from Early Adopters to Mainstream Markets
Although EV sales are continuing to rise in the US, some sources claim that EV adoption is now “crossing the chasm”, meaning the period of early EV adoption is ending, and we are in the gap that occurs before EVs go mainstream. Many technologies die in this chasm.
Focusing EV incentives, outreach and education on low to moderate income Gasoline Superusers (US private light duty vehicle drivers in the top 10% for gasoline consumption) can help bridge the gap. These 21 million Superusers are spending so much on gasoline and maintenance that for many there’s a compelling financial case for making the switch to an EV – and on a faster timeline than they would ordinarily replace their current vehicle.
Many Superusers feel the financial pinch of gasoline and maintenance, often spending upwards of 30% of household income on gasoline. By providing Superusers with a clear understanding of the enormous savings to be had – even with a higher monthly car payment on the EV – and the incentives they need to get over the hurdle of the down payment, we can broaden the market for EVs, and bridge the chasm to mainstream buyers.
NEW: Bill to Target Low-income Superusers Driving Older Vehicles for EV Incentives in California
Coltura joined partners to lead and support work on AB 2401, a bill that would modernize California’s Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A) program by making higher rebates available specifically to lower income, high-mileage drivers with older, high-polluting vehicles.
“Clean car rebates have previously gone to drivers who typically don’t need the financial help. It’s time to focus on working families who cannot afford to make the switch. This will bring fairness and equity to the program, while also accelerating the environmental benefits for the state,” said bill sponsor Assemblymember Phil Ting in a press release that featured Coltura’s analysis about the benefits of getting Superusers into EVs. The bill advocacy is done in partnership with Coalition for Clean Air, The Greenlining Institute, Union of Concerned Scientists and Valley Clean Air Now.
NEW: Maryland Bill Prioritizes Incentives for Low- and Moderate- Income Gasoline Superusers
A new bill in Maryland, HB 689, would make EV incentives available through dealers at the point of sale and importantly includes a provision to prioritize outreach about the incentives to low-and moderate-income drivers who use large amounts of gasoline.
Last week, Coltura’s policy director Rob Sargent testified in the Maryland General Assembly in support of the bill— making the case that the state can accelerate cuts in tailpipe emissions by helping get the biggest users of gasoline to make the transition.
Coltura In the News: Sharing Our Data and Insights Nationwide
Coltura’s groundbreaking Cracking The Gasoline Code report and our new state-specific Superuser fact sheets— which include localized policy recommendations to cater to states’ context and needs— continue making waves in news outlets across the country.
See new features in Fast Company, Savannah Morning News, Axios Atlanta, Streetsblog, The Columbian, The Seattle Times, and more.
Support Our Work: Let’s Get EVs to People Who Need Them Most
Helping the people who are using the most gasoline to switch to an EV can dramatically improve their finances and quality of life, while avoiding the pollution that harms our health and poisons our air, water and land.
That’s what Coltura is doing – advancing policies to help people enjoy the financial, climate and air quality benefits of switching to an EV.
Won’t you support this powerful work to maximize the gasoline displaced by EVs, and at the same time help the people suffering the most from gasoline expenditures?
Coltura Data Tool of the Month: Gasoline Data Insights
Coltura’s new Gasoline Data Insights page is a high-level overview and demo of Coltura’s latest analysis. The left tab features a visual tour through the primary points of the “Cracking the Gasoline Code” report. The tool focuses on the ways that data allows policymakers and other EV stakeholders to understand where the highest gasoline consumers are, their financial burden due to gasoline, what they drive, and where the conditions for them to switch to EVs are the most ideal.
The tool enables users on the Gasoline Data Insights Page to hover over the visuals to see more details and manipulate the visuals on certain pages with filters. Give it a try!
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Gasoline Disaster of the Month: Truck Collides with Gas Pump, Explosion Ensues
In yet another gasoline-fueled disaster, dashcam footage captured a shocking moment when a pick-up truck collided into a gasoline pump at a station in New Mexico this month. Recurring and disastrous driver collisions like this serve as a stark reminder of the hazards associated with gasoline infrastructure in everyday life.
Culture Corner: Electric Vehicles May Be Speeding Past the Partisan Divide
When asked, “Who buys EVs?”, many people would quickly respond, “Liberals! Coastal elites!”. But that may all be changing. New research indicates that Republicans too have caught the EV bug.
While polls and surveys show Republicans expressing opposition to EVs at rates exceeding 70%, many Republicans are embracing EVs. In nine of the 31 states that register voters by party, more Republicans are linked to EVs than Democrats. In six states won by Trump in 2020, Republicans were linked to more than half the EVs in the state.
