In part one of this blog series, we explored the rapid rise in electric bike (e-bike) usage and the public investments fueling this trend. E-bikes can play a key role in building a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable transportation system that reduces dependence on personal vehicles, an important part of GPI’s work to decarbonize transportation. State rebate programs and local incentives have made e-bikes more accessible than ever. Continue reading »
The Great Plains Institute has developed a comprehensive lifecycle assessment study that analyzes and compares the lifecycle emissions of electric vehicles (EVs) and conventional vehicles. The tool study evaluates and compares the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the two vehicle types. Continue reading »
Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant popularity over the last decade and are part of the collective solution toward a cleaner energy future. Yet, some drivers still have questions about their cost, emissions, and safety, among other things. Continue reading »
The US school bus system, with almost half a million buses, is the country’s most extensive mass transit system, carrying over 21 million children to school daily. This post explores the opportunities that electrifying this vast fleet presents for states and electric utility companies to achieve positive health, environmental, and economic development outcomes. Continue reading »
This spring, the US Environmental Protection Agency marked a significant advancement toward achieving air quality improvements across the country by establishing the most stringent greenhouse gas regulations for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to date. The new standards address the critical need to reduce emissions from these vehicles. Continue reading »
On March 20, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final vehicle standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. These rules are meant to reduce air pollution by limiting vehicle tailpipe emissions. The regulations will allow American consumers to choose more cost-effective, eco-friendly vehicles, resulting in annual savings on fuel and upkeep expenses. Continue reading »
Two years ago this month, Congress passed the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Transportation electrification was one of the priorities in the legislation—electric vehicles and related infrastructure were eligible for $30.7 billion of the funding. We broke down the electric vehicle programs in a previous blog. Continue reading »
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the US Department of the Treasury released additional information on the clean vehicle provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act on March 31, 2023. The information provides further clarity to consumers and businesses on the New Clean Vehicle Credit, the Previously-Owned Clean Vehicle Credit, and the Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles Credit. Continue reading »
On November 9, 2022, the Great Plains Institute (GPI) hosted a webinar, “Building a Sustainable Domestic Electric Vehicle Supply Chain.” The webinar brought experts together to critically examine and identify actions needed to mitigate supply chain issues in the US. Continue reading »
How much money can US drivers expect to save on fuel by switching to an electric vehicle? We explored this question with Heather Brown on CBS News Minnesota, and now our new calculator helps consumers do the math.
The recent increased volatility in gas prices has left many US drivers looking for alternatives. People are driving less and looking for more efficient vehicles. As consumers increasingly consider electric vehicles, they want to know how to calculate the potential costs and savings.
The average price per gallon of gas skyrocketed 146 percent to $4.75 in June of this year. That’s up from just $1.93 in April 2020, when the prices plummeted in the early months of the pandemic. Continue reading »
