American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy reports improvement needed in vehicle electrification policies
In its new State Transportation Electrification Scorecard, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy analyzed states to identify how they have moved to allow for more electric vehicles — and found that many still host significant barriers.
While several states are taking comprehensive steps, and the costs of electric vehicles are falling, the higher initial purchase price and lack of access to vehicle charging remain a major barrier for many. Some states, like chart leader California, have worked to turn this around through incentives, charging options, and lower electric rates at preferred charging times. California also stands alone in setting deadlines for electrifying transit buses, heavy trucks, and commercial vehicles.
It was a rare standalone, earning 91 out of a possible 100 points in the analysis. Its nearest competition was New York, with just 63.5 points. However, 20 states earned 15 points or fewer. Yet even California could improve its policies considerably, according to the Council.
“Transitioning to electric vehicles is vital for the climate and for reducing costs for households and businesses,” Bryan Howard, state policy director at ACEEE and lead report author, said. “The leading states are embracing this transition, but many more are just starting, even as the automakers are preparing a burst of new electric models.”
Electric vehicles have a few advantages: lower emissions than gas-powered counterparts, and many have lower lifetime ownership costs. ACEEE notes that a shift to these vehicles is not only preferred but necessary to bring emissions to zero.
To aid this, the organization identified several policies to support EV adoption. One is mandates and deployment targets. The others are both incentives for vehicle purchases and vehicle charger installations. States were ranked by 40 policies in total, though. The most common policy being pursued by far is to use federal funds to buy electric transit buses — a practice in 48 states. Additionally, 27 states offer incentives to buy large electric pickups and delivery trucks, and 23 are planning for more EVs and charging options. Utility programs offering lower electric rates at preferred times for EV charging also exist in 36 states.
“State policymakers can make a concerted effort to enable an electric vehicle transition that not only reduces pollution but also helps improve access to electrified transportation and quality of life for everyone,” Shruti Vaidyanathan, ACEEE transportation program director and a report author, said. “The transition won’t happen soon enough nor equitably without the right policies in place.”
ACEEE recommended that the top 30 states offer incentives for the purchase of EVs, codify targets for vehicle and charger deployment, allow utilities to invest in charging infrastructure and set clean energy targets for the electric industry and transportation sector. For those in the bottom 20, it recommended comprehensive planning efforts with specific goals, benchmarking progress, data collection, funding additions for communities most in need, and offering clear direction in general to spur investment in charging stations.
