Transportation
A growing economy relies on an effective and efficient transportation system; however, issues related to pollution, congestion, and safety can dampen that growth. RFF experts are analyzing the costs, benefits, and distributional consequences of transportation policies to help lawmakers design programs that can effectively impact consumer and producer behaviors.
Federal Climate Policy: The Transportation Sector
A review of current primary policies and policy options for emissions reductions in the sector, including fuel economy and GHG standards, programs to promote the use of alternative-fuel vehicles, and more.
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Progress and Potential for EVs to Reduce Emissions
EVs will continue to play a small part in emissions reductions over the next five years, with larger contributions in the decade after.
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Alternative Fuels and Vehicles
Examining the relevant policies, regulations, and markets
CAFE Standards and Fuel Efficiency
Analyzing policies that reduce fuel demand and carbon emissions
Fuel Taxes
Analyzing how fuel taxes interact with existing fuel efficiency policies.
Traffic Congestion
Exploring policy options to reduce the inefficiencies of gridlock.
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Common Resources — May 3, 2021
Electric Vehicles and Equity: How Would Aiming Subsidies at Lower-Income Households Affect Vehicle Sales?
Various proposals would make the electric vehicle tax credit more accessible and equitable, though the least costly option might simply be targeting subsidies to lower-income households.
Policy Leadership Series — May 11, 2021
Policy Leadership Series with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby
A conversation with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on the airline's decarbonization strategy and the future of the industry
Media Highlight — Apr 23, 2021
Biden's Dream of an Electric Future Faces an Uphill Battle. Here's Why
RFF Senior Fellow Joshua Linn discusses obstacles to widespread electric vehicle adoption in a segment for PBS NewsHour.
Explainer — Mar 24, 2021
Federal Climate Policy 104: The Transportation Sector
A review of current primary policies and policy options for emissions reductions in the sector, including fuel economy and GHG standards, programs to promote the use of alternative-fuel vehicles, and more.
Working Paper — Mar 17, 2021
The Welfare Cost of Beijing’s Lottery Policy—Evidence from a Contingent Valuation Survey
Is Beijing’s vehicle ownership lottery working? This working paper from an international team of scholars delves into the welfare costs of this novel system.
Explainer — Mar 3, 2021
Federal Climate Policy 101: Reducing Emissions
An overview of climate policy tools available for federal emissions reduction efforts and the key criteria for evaluating climate policy.
Policy Leadership Series — May 11, 2021
Policy Leadership Series with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby
A conversation with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on the airline's decarbonization strategy and the future of the industry
Workshop/Seminar — Jul 15, 2020
Exploring Innovative Transportation Policies
A summary of and presentations from a two-day virtual workshop on transportation carbon pricing in the TCI
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 3, 2018
New Research Questions on Electricity, Transportation, and Carbon Markets: What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way
Media Highlight — Apr 23, 2021
Biden's Dream of an Electric Future Faces an Uphill Battle. Here's Why
RFF Senior Fellow Joshua Linn discusses obstacles to widespread electric vehicle adoption in a segment for PBS NewsHour.
Media Highlight — Apr 14, 2021
Shouldn't Infrastructure Users Shoulder Some of Its Costs?
Visiting Fellow Art Fraas shares his thoughts on public infrastructure spending in an op-ed he coauthored for The Hill.
Media Highlight — Mar 31, 2021
Biden’s Push for Electric Cars: $174 Billion, 10 Years and a Bit of Luck
Senior Fellow Joshua Linn is quoted by the New York Times in an analysis of Biden's new infrastructure plan.
Common Resources — May 3, 2021
Electric Vehicles and Equity: How Would Aiming Subsidies at Lower-Income Households Affect Vehicle Sales?
Various proposals would make the electric vehicle tax credit more accessible and equitable, though the least costly option might simply be targeting subsidies to lower-income households.
On the Issues — Apr 16, 2021
Biden Administration Plans New Paris Agreement Commitments, Revamping Electric Vehicle Subsidies, and More
A weekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars.
Common Resources — Apr 15, 2021
Who Benefits from EV Subsidies? The Complicating Role of Zero-Emissions Vehicle Standards
Tax credits on electric vehicle purchases seem to benefit consumers directly. But the reality is more complex in states that also have zero-emissions vehicle standards.