Capitol Hill Briefing: Policy Insights from Electric Vehicle Markets in the Northeast and California

Feb 25, 2021 11:00 AM in Eastern Time (US and Canada) The transportation sector accounts for the largest share of US greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to a zero-emission vehicle fleet will be key to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. But making this transition will be challenging—zero-emission vehicles made up less than two percent of the 17 million new passenger vehicle sales in 2019. In this briefing, researchers from the National Center for Sustainable Transportation will share insights from electric vehicle markets in two very different states. California has aggressive vehicle electrification goals and accounts for nearly half of the nation’s electric vehicle sales. Vermont and its neighboring states are also encouraging electric vehicle adoption but face unique challenges as largely rural states in cold climates. Insights on successful incentives, adoption barriers, and policy gaps from these states provide valuable lessons learned for federal efforts to promote a cleaner transportation system.