Electric Vehicles: Reducing climate pollution, saving taxpayer money

On June 26, the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center released our newest study showing how promoting electric vehicles can help tackle the nation’s #1 source of global warming pollution: our transportation sector. 

“Electric Vehicles Save Money for Government Fleets” showed that Pennsylvania’s state and local governments could save Keystone State taxpayers over $360 million by replacing retiring gasoline- and diesel-powered light duty fleet vehicles with electric vehicles.  By doing so, our report showed that Pennsylvania could expect to reduce global warming pollution by 800,000 tons and reduce carbon monoxide emissions from government vehicle fleets by 94%, VOC emissions by 92%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 31%.

PennEnvironment staff planned and held three simultaneous news conferences in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia to release our report’s findings. We were joined by State Reps. Joe Cerisi (Pottstown), Paul Takac (State College), Arvind Venkat (Pittsburgh), and Ben Waxman (Philadelphia).

PennEnvironment’s Field Director Flora Cardoni (at podium) is joined by (from left-right) Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Dr. Walter Tsou, Moms Clean Air Force’s Brooke Petry, State Representative Joe Ciresi, and State Representative Ben Waxman to release the report in Philadelphia.Photo by TPIN | TPIN

Electric Vehicles Save Money for GovernmentFleets was incredibly well received by news outlets across Pennsylvania, leading to news stories in PennLive, NPR, ABC-27 Harrisburg, FOX-43 Harrisburg, WJAC-Johnstown, WHYY, WTAJ-CBS, WPXI Pittsburgh, FOX-29 Philly, and WESA Pittsburgh. 

Rep. Paul Takac also  developed this great short video from our news conference together releasing the report.

PennEnvironment’s Executive Director David Masur releases PennEnvironment’s electric fleet report with State Rep. Paul TakacPhoto by TPIN | TPIN

During this summer of extreme climate change, PennEnvironment has been busy using this time to uncover climate solutions and engage concerned Pennsylvanians in support of these critical initiatives. 

Thank you for helping make all of this important work possible.