Benjamin Leard
University Fellow
Benjamin Leard is a university fellow at RFF as well as an assistant professor and faculty fellow at University of Tennessee. He is an environmental economist who focuses his work on transportation policy, climate change, and discrete choice modeling. His recent work involves estimating household preferences for vehicle attributes and evaluating the costs and benefits of fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for light duty vehicles. His work has been published in Science and he has been cited in the Washington Post for his research on consumer demand for autonomous vehicles.
Education
- PhD in applied economics and management, Cornell University, 2014
- BS in mathematics and economics, James Madison University, 2008
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Resources Magazine Articles — May 15, 2025
Pain at the (Electric Vehicle) Pump?
Figuring out the cost of car charging can be confusing. Our research addresses this problem head on, so policymakers can take action to avoid “pain at the pump” and ensure that electric vehicle adoption is a good financial decision.
Working Paper — Aug 23, 2023
New Passenger Vehicle Demand Elasticities: Estimates and Policy Implications
In this working paper, the authors estimate a set of demand elasticities for new passenger vehicles in order that can inform policy analysis and fuel economy regulations.
Workshop — Jun 12, 2023
Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Workshop: Research for Effective, Efficient, and Equitable Policy Implementation
An RFF workshop exploring zero-mission vehicle (ZEV) mandates and how they will change the transportation landscape in the United States.
Common Resources — Mar 30, 2023
Insights Gained from the Past Decade of Federal Standards for Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Who has benefited the most from the tighter federal fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for passenger vehicles?
Working Paper — Aug 23, 2023
New Passenger Vehicle Demand Elasticities: Estimates and Policy Implications
In this working paper, the authors estimate a set of demand elasticities for new passenger vehicles in order that can inform policy analysis and fuel economy regulations.
Working Paper — Mar 15, 2023
Vehicle Attribute Tradeoffs and the Distributional Effects of US Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
This working paper presents welfare and distributional effects of US passenger vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards between 2012 and 2022.
Journal Article — Jan 6, 2023
How Much Do Consumers Value Fuel Economy and Performance? Evidence from Technology Adoption
This paper evaluates the welfare consequences of automakers forgoing performance increases to raise fuel economy.
Working Paper — Aug 16, 2022
Should Electric Vehicle Purchase Subsidies Be Linked with Scrappage Requirements?
Should Electric Vehicle Purchase Subsidies Be Linked with Scrappage Requirements?
Workshop — Jun 12, 2023
Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates Workshop: Research for Effective, Efficient, and Equitable Policy Implementation
An RFF workshop exploring zero-mission vehicle (ZEV) mandates and how they will change the transportation landscape in the United States.
Workshop — Jul 15, 2020
Exploring Innovative Transportation Policies
Exploring Innovative Transportation Policies
Resources Magazine Articles — May 15, 2025
Pain at the (Electric Vehicle) Pump?
Figuring out the cost of car charging can be confusing. Our research addresses this problem head on, so policymakers can take action to avoid “pain at the pump” and ensure that electric vehicle adoption is a good financial decision.
Common Resources — Mar 30, 2023
Insights Gained from the Past Decade of Federal Standards for Passenger Vehicle Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Who has benefited the most from the tighter federal fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for passenger vehicles?
Common Resources — Sep 30, 2021
Fuel Economy Standards Will Help Speed the Deployment of Electric Vehicles, But May Not Be Enough to Achieve the 2030 Target
The Biden administration hopes to drastically increase the share of electric vehicles on the road. New fuel economy standards will help, but emissions reductions from efficient gasoline vehicles will far outweigh reductions from new electric vehicles.
Common Resources — Sep 22, 2021
What Should Federal Agencies Assume for How Much Consumers Are Willing to Pay for Fuel Cost Savings?
Government agencies that assess the consequences of fuel economy standards assume that consumers value just the first 30 months of fuel cost savings. Should the agencies reconsider their assumptions?
Media Highlight — Apr 26, 2022
The Boston Globe: "High Prices at the Pump Hurt. Here's Why They Should Be Even Higher."
RFF research on federal fuel efficiency standards is cited in this op-ed.
Press Release — Aug 25, 2021
Car Consumers Undervalue Fuel Cost Savings, Valuing Present Costs Over Future Gains
Car Consumers Undervalue Fuel Cost Savings, Valuing Present Costs Over Future Gains
Media Highlight — Nov 20, 2020
Here's How Elon Musk Is 'Eating The Lunch' Of Tesla's Rivals
Here's How Elon Musk Is 'Eating The Lunch' Of Tesla's Rivals
Media Highlight — Nov 10, 2020
Combustion Engine Gains Are Not Exhausted
Combustion Engine Gains Are Not Exhausted