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EV policies will achieve the greatest climate benefits by prioritizing those who use the most gasoline, according to advocacy group Coltura.
The group recently released a new study building on findings published in 2021 that found that one in 10 drivers burn nearly a third of US gasoline. Coltura coined the term gasoline “superuser” to describe these drivers, and continues to argue that they should be the focus of policies aimed at promoting the use of EVs.
Such a narrowing of focus would have huge climate benefits, while also benefiting gasoline superusers themselves, according to the study.
Gasoline superuser and overall fuel consumption (via Coltura)
In California, which is set to ban the sale of new internal combustion vehicles (other than certain plug-in hybrids) by 2035, a 50% reduction in emissions would require nine million EVs on the road if super gasoline users switch first, compared to 24 million if gasoline users the ultimate super switch, according to research.
While California leads the nation in EVs, 95% of vehicles on the road are still powered by gasoline, according to the study, so the state’s gasoline consumption figures reflect the nation’s.
That also means a large number of what Coltura calls “gas-burdened families” who could benefit greatly from the switch to EVs. Of the California gasoline superuser households identified in this study, 56% are below average household income—and pay a lot to drive their gasoline vehicle.
Gasoline superuser and overall fuel consumption (via Coltura)
Gasoline superusers spend an average of $500 per month on gas and $300 per month on vehicle maintenance and repairs, according to the study. Switching to an EV can save you a lot on fuel costs. A 2022 study found that gasoline-powered vehicles can cost up to six times more in fuel than the cost of filling up an electric vehicle.
Whether any real policy builds on the gasoline superuser concept remains to be seen, but has already been proposed. California is considering offering incentives that will be calculated around the applicant’s gasoline use, and the State of Washington has also attempted to inform its EV policy in this regard.
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