Gasoline Phaseout News – May 2024
Bipartisan Superuser EV Incentive Bill Unanimously Passes California Assembly
On May 23rd, the California Assembly voted 72-0 to advance a bill that would refine the state’s Clean Cars 4 All program to steer EV incentives to lower-income, high-mileage drivers with older, high-polluting vehicles, especially in disadvantaged communities. Led by Asm. Ting, AB 2401 would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions faster, more strategically, and equitably. The bill boasts broad support from a coalition that includes Coltura, Coalition for Clean Air, the Greenlining Institute, Union of Concerned Scientists, Valley Clean Air Now, and dozens of other organizations.
Overwhelming bipartisan support for the bill is an indicator that California Republicans support EV policy solutions. The bill now moves to the state senate and must be acted on by the end of August.
See Coltura’s press release on the bill’s passage and share on social media.
Coltura Spotlights Rural Gasoline Use and EV Benefits for Gasoline-Burdened Households
This month, Coltura released a new report highlighting the heavy burden of gasoline dependence in rural America and the boost that could be provided by helping rural households make the switch to EVs. The report found that more than a third of the nation’s Gasoline Superusers live in rural areas. These Superusers represent 3.6% of drivers but account for 12.9% of all US gasoline consumption. A rural Superuser would save on average nearly $4,000 a year on fuel by switching to an EV.
On May 15th, we joined the Rural Climate Partnership and Climate Nexus in a briefing on transitioning rural America to EVs.
“This rigorous research from Coltura confirms the critical role electric vehicles can play in helping to reduce the gasoline burdens and climate-warming emissions of rural drivers. We know drivers in our nation’s countryside cover many more miles than their urban counterparts, and they are interested in EVs. However, they have little access to do a test drive or even see one of these game-changing vehicles,” said Rural Climate Partnership’s Executive Director, Josh Ewing.
Coltura Data Insight of the Month: International Impact of US Superusers’ Switch to EVs
The United States can significantly impact the international climate crisis by reducing gasoline consumption in passenger cars.
Coltura estimates that if 21 million US “Gasoline Superusers” (the top 10% of light-duty vehicle drivers in terms of gasoline use) switch to EVs, carbon emissions would drop by 243 million metric tons, exceeding the total annual emissions of each of Argentina, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.
Coltura in WIRED Magazine: Number of EV Charging Stations Needed to Replace All Gas Stations
WIRED Magazine asked Coltura to estimate how many EV chargers would be required to replace all gasoline vehicles by the 2040s. Coltura’s answer: 129 million home chargers, 3.7 million work chargers, and 1.9 million public chargers. Read (and share) the article on how we crunched the numbers.
Join Us: UW Students to Present Superuser EV Study and Policy Recommendations
University of Washington students conducted interviews of Gasoline Superusers as part of a sustainability consulting project for Coltura. They found substantial interest in EVs among these drivers, who are most burdened by the cost of fuel.
The students’ findings and recommendations will be presented at a joint UW, Comotion Labs, and Coltura event on June 3 at 1:30 pm PT at Startup Hall on the UW Campus. It will be live-streamed at this link.
Support Our Work: In California & Beyond, Policies Making an Impact Today
Thanks to your support, Coltura’s work is helping those most burdened by gasoline costs and emitting the most carbon pollution switch to electric vehicles— bolstered by the recent passage of a groundbreaking EV incentive bill in the California Assembly and policies advancing in several other states.
If we can get more high-need Gasoline Superusers into EVs, we will cut emissions faster and more equitably. Every dollar counts in our fight for a healthier planet and future generations. Support our work today.
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Gas Station of the Month: Pilot in Whiteford Twp, MI
A leak in a major fuel line under the pumps at The Pilot Truck Stop Gas Station in Whiteford Township, Michigan has released 8,000 gallons of petroleum product.
The spill was contained by booms until some of the booms came loose due to high water levels caused by heavy rains. Contaminated soil now stretches for at least a quarter mile.
Culture Corner: Millennial Generation Driving EV Adoption
A recent Statista survey unveiled fascinating insights into how different generations are embracing electric vehicles.
Millennials (born between 1980 and 1994), are leading the way when it comes to EV adoption, with a notable 10% already owning an EV. Gen Z (born 1997-2012) isn’t far behind at 7%. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers (born 1960-1964) lag behind at a mere 1%.
