Transportation
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and contributes significantly to local air pollution, which disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities. Experts in RFF’s Transportation Program are working to ensure that the decisions we make today lead to a clean, efficient, and equitable transportation system for generations to come.
Highlights
Topics
Aviation
Critical Minerals
Electric Vehicles
Examining the relevant policies, regulations, and markets
Framework for Large-Scale Economic Evaluation of Trucking (FLEET)
Fuel Efficiency
Analyzing policies that reduce fuel demand and carbon emissions
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Decarbonization
RFF Vehicle Market Model
The RFF Vehicle Market Model analyzes the US market for new passenger vehicles and light trucks using a unique dataset of 1.5 million vehicle purchase decisions.
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
Common Resources — Jun 11, 2025
If/Then: Removing Federal Support for Electric Vehicles—Will It Help or Hurt Society?
A new analysis from Resources for the Future shows that likely upcoming electric vehicle policy reversals would impose a $33-billion cost overall.
Conference — Jun 26, 2025
Critical Minerals Research Lab Conference
A webinar featuring industry experts showcasing research on critical mineral policy for the clean energy transition.
On the Issues — Jun 6, 2025
On the Issues: Electric Vehicle Charging Costs, Repeals to Clean Energy Tax Credits, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: Electric vehicle tax credits at risk, regulatory repeals, and more.
On the Issues — May 23, 2025
On the Issues: Electric Vehicle Tax Credits at Risk, Regulatory Repeals, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: Electric vehicle tax credits at risk, regulatory repeals, and more.
Working Paper — May 22, 2025
To Buy an Electric Vehicle or Not? A Bayesian Analysis of Consumer Intent in the United States
This paper examines how public opinion on electric vehicle purchases relates to information exposure, environmental views, policy, infrastructure confidence, ownership, and demographics.
Report — May 2, 2025
Import Tariffs and the Market for Vehicles
This report analyzes three auto tariff scenarios, estimating the range of potential impacts on the domestic vehicle market.
Report — Mar 20, 2025
“Mineral Security” Policy for Electric Vehicle Battery Minerals
This report analyzes the geopolitical and economic risks associated with minerals important to electric vehicle batteries.
Issue Brief — Jan 17, 2025
Digging Deep: Critical Mineral Supply Chains, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Technological Innovation
Digging Deep: Critical Mineral Supply Chains, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Technological Innovation
Conference — Jun 26, 2025
Critical Minerals Research Lab Conference
A webinar featuring industry experts showcasing research on critical mineral policy for the clean energy transition.
Environmental Justice Series — Jun 6, 2024
Critical Minerals, Critical Stakeholders: Engaging Local Communities in Mineral Resource Collaboration
A webinar featuring industry experts exploring the impacts of mineral extraction efforts on local communities.
Workshop — Mar 15, 2024
2024 Transportation Engineering, Economics, and Policy Workshop
2024 Transportation Engineering, Economics, and Policy Workshop
RFF Live — Mar 12, 2024
Digging Deep: Critical Minerals, Electric Vehicles, and the Role of Innovation
An RFF Live event exploring critical mineral markets, increased electric vehicle demand, and technological innovation
Common Resources — Jun 11, 2025
If/Then: Removing Federal Support for Electric Vehicles—Will It Help or Hurt Society?
A new analysis from Resources for the Future shows that likely upcoming electric vehicle policy reversals would impose a $33-billion cost overall.
On the Issues — Jun 6, 2025
On the Issues: Electric Vehicle Charging Costs, Repeals to Clean Energy Tax Credits, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: Electric vehicle tax credits at risk, regulatory repeals, and more.
On the Issues — May 23, 2025
On the Issues: Electric Vehicle Tax Credits at Risk, Regulatory Repeals, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: Electric vehicle tax credits at risk, regulatory repeals, and more.
In Focus — May 19, 2025
In Focus: Tariffs and the US Auto Industry
In this In Focus Video, University of Maryland professor and RFF Senior Fellow Joshua Linn discusses new RFF modeling that projects the effect of auto tariffs on consumer costs, vehicle demand, electric vehicles, and more.
Media Highlight — May 6, 2025
Energy Intel: “Tariffs Introduce Another Wild Card to US EV Uptake”
RFF research on the new auto tariffs is featured heavily in this story, which talks about the tariffs’ potential impacts.
Press Release — May 2, 2025
New Modeling Shows How Much Auto Tariffs Will Raise Prices and Harm Buyers
New modeling projects that the tariffs will reduce vehicle sales, raise both gas and electric vehicle prices, and modestly boost profits for US manufacturers.
Press Release — Apr 3, 2025
RFF Launches Lab to Support New Critical Mineral Scholars
Resources for the Future is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the second year of the Critical Minerals Research Lab, a virtual hub to help PhD students develop, improve, and disseminate policy-relevant research on critical minerals.
Media Highlight — Mar 6, 2025
Automotive News: “Hydrogen Hopes Shudder Amid Spate of Bankruptcies”
RFF Senior Fellow Alan Krupnick discusses research on hydrogen-powered trucks and buses.
