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Benefits of Transportation Electrification in a Post Pandemic World
6/1/2021
The first three months of 2021 saw early actions from the Biden administration and strong commitments to transportation electrification made by automakers, utilities, and other key players in the U.S. electric vehicle market. This activity has increased the number and breadth of pathways that policymakers can pursue to accelerate the shift towards transportation electrification and capture more of the billions of dollars in investments committed to the technology worldwide. This paper outlines three key opportunities for the country to achieve success and rapidly decarbonize the transportation sector by taking decisive action at federal level, expanding state policy frameworks, and prioritizing underserved communities.
Authors: Smith, C.; Nigro, N.; Lepre, N.
Clean Cities Coalitions 2019 Activity Report
5/6/2021
Clean Cities coalition activities resulted in an energy use impact (EUI) of over 1 billion gasoline-gallons equivalent (GGE), comprised of net alternative fuels used and energy savings from efficiency projects, in 2019. Participation in vehicle and infrastructure development projects remained strong, as did alternative fuel use and resulting overall EUI. Clean Cities coalition activities reduce emissions as they impact energy use. Coalition-reported activities prevented nearly 5 million carbon dioxide-equivalent tons of emissions (only greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions are reported here; criteria pollutants and other emissions are not included in this report). Coalitions were successful in securing project grant awards from numerous (non-DOE) outside sources. For other Federal, State, and local agencies and private sector foundations, see funding section on page 24. The 82 project grant awards in 2019 generated $225 million in funds from coalition members and project partners along with $9.5 million in DOE grant funds. Coalitions also collected $1.2 million in stakeholder dues and $1.6 million in operational funds from host organizations. In macro terms, this supplemental funding represents nearly a 6:1 leveraging of the $38 million that was included in the VTO Technology Integration budget in Fiscal Year 2019. Clean Cities coordinators spent nearly 136,000 hours pursuing their coalitions' goals in 2019. The average coordinator is quite experienced and has held his or her position for at least eight years. Coordinators logged more than 3,525 outreach, education, and training activities in 2019, which reached an estimated 23 million people.
Authors: Singer, M.; Johnson, C.
Electrifying Transit: A Guidebook for Implementing BEBs
4/20/2021
The use of battery electric bus (BEBs) fleets is becoming more attractive to cities seeking to reduce emissions and traffic congestion. While BEB fleets may provide benefits such as lower fuel and maintenance costs, improved performance, lower emissions, and energy security, many challenges need to be overcome to support BEB deployment. These include upfront cost premiums, planning burdens, BEB range, and unfamiliarity with BEB technology. To assist stakeholders with interest in deploying BEBs, this guidebook describes the decisions and considerations required for successful BEB implementation.
Authors: Aamodt, A.; Cory, K.; Coney, K.
Comprehensive Total Cost of Ownership Quantification for Vehicles with Different Size Classes and Powertrains
4/1/2021
In order to accurately compare the costs of two vehicles, the total cost of ownership (TCO) should consist of all costs related to both purchasing and operating the vehicle. This TCO analysis builds on previous work to provide a comprehensive perspective of all relevant vehicle costs of ownership. This study considers vehicle cost and depreciation, financing, fuel costs, insurance costs, maintenance and repair costs, taxes and fees, and other operational costs to formulate a holistic total cost of ownership and operation of light- and heavy-duty vehicles. For each of the cost parameters, researchers performed extensive literature review and data analysis to find representative values to build a holistic TCO for vehicles of all size classes.
Authors: Burnham, A.; Gohlke, D.; Rush, L.; Stephens, T.; Zhou, Y.; Delucchi, M.; Birky, A.; Hunter, C.; Lin, Z.; Ou, S.; Xie, F.; Proctor, C,; Wiryadinata, S.; Liu, N.; Boloor, M.
Funding Options for Low-Carbon Transportation Alternatives to The Federal Gasoline Tax
4/1/2021
This topic brief provides an overview of the problems with current mechanisms for funding sustainable transportation and explores other funding methods to support low-carbon transportation investment in the United States. In reviewing alternate transportation funding methods, this report considers each mechanism’s equity impacts, with a specific focus on transportation access and curbing the impacts of transportation-related air pollution, which disproportionately burden low-income communities.
Setting TNC Policies to Increase Sustainability
3/31/2021
Cities and states across the United States are assessing fees or taxes on transportation network company platforms, such as Uber and Lyft. The goals of these policies include traffic and emissions mitigation, as well as revenue generation, among other objectives. This research aims to assess the goals and effectiveness of these fees in achieving some of these policy objectives, primarily congestion and emissions mitigation. This study compares 21 fees implemented by state and local governments across the United States and applies a methodology to compare these diverse fees and taxes based on a hypothetical ride informed by Uber’s fare calculator, as well as other sources.
Authors: Fuller, S.; Kunz, T.; Brown, A.; D'Agostino, M.
Notes:
This copyrighted publication can be accessed on the University of California, Davis website.
Vehicle Fuel Economy and GHG Standards
3/22/2021
On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13990, “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis,” which directs federal agencies to review regulations and other agency actions from the Trump Administration, including the federal standards that regulate fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new passenger cars and light trucks. These standards include the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards promulgated by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Light-Duty Vehicle GHG Emission Standards promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This document provides an overview of vehicle fuel economy and GHG standards.
Carbon Intensity of Corn Ethanol in the United States: State of the Science
3/10/2021
The carbon intensity of corn ethanol, the primary renewable fuel used in transportation, has been actively researched and quantified over the last three decades. Reliable estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for corn ethanol are important since these values help determine significant policy and market decisions on state, national, and international levels. This study reviews well-to-wheel GHG life cycle analyses for corn ethanol and evaluates models, input data, and results for farming, fuel production, co-product credit, land use change, transport of feedstock and fuel, tailpipe, and denaturant.
Authors: Scully, M.; Norris, G.; Falconi, T.; MacIntosh, D.
PTC and ITC for Aviation Fuel: Analysis Using the Biomass Scenario Model
3/5/2021
This analysis uses the Biomass Scenario Model, a system dynamics model of the bioenergy supply chain, to explore different scenarios of implementation of a production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) for sustainable aviation fuel.
Authors: Newes, E.; Vimmerstedt, L.; Haq, Z.; Lindauer, A.
Livewire Data Platform A Catalog of Transportation and Mobility Data
3/3/2021
This fact sheet outlines the capabilities and core services of the Livewire Data Platform, a growing catalog of transportation and mobility-related data that empowers researchers and community planners to easily and securely share and preserve data that support projects and decision making.
Authors: Lauren Spath Luhring
Case Study of the San Pedro Bay Ports’ Clean Air Action Plan 2006-2018: Best Practices and Lessons Learned
3/1/2021
The development and implementation of the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is a groundbreaking and ongoing project with significant environmental benefits. The CAAP can serve as a map for other port authorities considering their own air quality actions and near-port communities interested in promoting clean air programs. Although every port’s situation is unique, the objective of this case study is to highlight key CAAP history, programs, and lessons learned to serve as a building block.
Fuel a Greener Future
3/1/2021
This report outlines the importance of utilizing all available low-carbon heavy-duty transport options available today to dramatically lower overall transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and shares important information about the availability, resiliency, and sustainability of domestically sourced renewable natural gas vehicle and fueling technology.
U.S. Airport Infrastructure and Sustainable Aviation Fuel
2/26/2021
Worldwide, aviation accounts for 2% of all manmade carbon dioxide emissions and 12% of all transportation CO2 emissions In 2018, the U.S. accounted for 25% of the world jet fuel consumption and 21% of global enplanements. Airports and airlines are considering alternative fuel to meet environmental and sustainability goals and mandates. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), made from non-petroleum feedstocks, has the potential to significantly reduce emissions from air transportation. SAF must be blended with petroleum based jet fuel prior to its use in aircraft. This report explores background information on jet fuel use, quality standards and best practices, airport infrastructure, and options for delivering SAF to airports.
Authors: Moriarty, K. and Kvien A.
