POLL: U.S. VOTERS SUPPORT FULL TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC CARS BY 2030
DO VOTERS SUPPORT 100% EVS BY 2030?
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A 2021 poll from Yale University, George Mason University, and Climate Nexus, commissioned by the nonprofit Coltura, finds that by a 55%-35% margin, voters in the U.S. support requiring all new cars sold in their state to be electric starting in 2030.Gasoline-powered cars are one of the the biggest sources of carbon pollution driving the climate crisis. Coming on the heels of COP26, where world leaders gathered to address the mounting climate crisis, this is the latest in a series of polls indicating strong voter support for aggressive climate action
Gasoline-powered cars are one of the biggest sources of carbon pollution driving the climate crisis. According to the new polling data, majorities of voters say requiring new cars manufactured in 2030 or later to be electric would have a positive impact on air quality (73%), climate change (64%), individuals’ health (61%) and, energy independence (58%), urban communities (52%), and suburban communities (51%).
Particularly supportive of phasing out gasoline-powered cars by 2030 are voters aged 18-34 (71%), Black voters (69%), and Hispanic voters (67%), reflecting the generational urgency of climate action, and strong correlation of the EV transition to principles of equity and environmental justice.
Support for a full transition to electric cars is strong in diverse states across the country. In Michigan, voters support Clean Cars a 2030 phaseout of gas cars by a 55-33 margin, in Nevada, by a 52-39 margin, and in Colorado by a 50-38 margin. In New York, voters support a 2030 phaseout by a 66-24 margin, in Massachusetts by a 62-28 margin, and in New Jersey by a 58-30 margin.
“To achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions, we must address the biggest source of carbon pollution driving the climate crisis: gas-powered cars, SUVs, and light duty trucks,” said Janelle London, co-executive director of Coltura. “The findings of this poll makes it crystal clear that the public supports a 2030 target date for phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles. It’s time for elected officials to take the urgent steps needed, and pass laws that reflect the will of their constituents.”
Ten countries have already announced plans to phase out gasoline vehicles by 2030 or sooner. In the U.S., Washington was the first state to pass a 2030 vehicle electrification goal through both legislative chambers earlier this year. In September, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation setting a 2035 goal for all new passenger cars and trucks sold in her state New York State to be zero emissions. New York’s law follows California Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order for a California 2035 gas car phaseout.
State Polls
About The Poll
Nexus Polling, in partnership with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, conducted a representative survey of 2,678 registered voters across the United States in a scientific online poll conducted between October 12-18, 2021. An oversample of +/- 350 voters per state was conducted in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Hawaii between October 18-31. State oversamples were recruited separately via stratified sampling and not included as part of the national sample. The sample size in Hawaii was 153 respondents. In California, Florida, and Texas, respectively, 233, 195, and 196 voters were surveyed as part of the national poll, and the respondents were weighted to approximate a target sample of registered voters in the state. The margin of error for the representative national sample is +/- 2%. The margin of the error for the state samples is +/- 6%, with the exception of Hawaii (+/- 9.3%), Texas (+/- 8.3%), Florida (+/-8%), and California (+/- 7.5%).
Gasoline Superusers Approach Note
Coltura’s 2024 report, “Gasoline Superusers 3.0,” published in 2024, demonstrates how to cut vehicle emissions more quickly, efficiently, and equitably by prioritizing the light duty vehicle drivers in the top 10% for gasoline use (“Superusers”) for the switch to EVs.
The 21 million US Gasoline Superusers represent a mere 0.24% of the global population, yet they account for 10.4% of the world’s gasoline consumption — nearly as much as China.
By prioritizing Gasoline Superusers for the switch to EVs, we can reduce emissions faster and provide financial relief to those spending a significant portion of their income on gasoline.
Learn more about Coltura’s gasoline superuser approach.
Check out our free webinar about how the gasoline superuser approach can help reduce air pollution faster and more equitably.
Discover more about the hidden challenges faced by “rural Gasoline Superusers” – a small subset of rural drivers constituting less than 4% of the US population but responsible for nearly 13% of the nation’s gasoline usage – in our 2024 “Country Crossroads” Report.
Thinking about Switching To An EV?
Our nonprofit’s free EV Cost-Savings Calculator can help you discover how much you can save by switching from a gas car to an electric car. Our EV Incentives Checklist can also help you find ways to save money on an EV.
