Georgia drivers saved 4.5 million gallons of gasoline in 2014 thanks to electric vehicles (EVs)– and that means these drivers have an extra $10 million to put back into our local economy. Today, we released new analysis with our partners at the Union of Concerned Scientists which shows that driving 100 miles in the average conventional vehicle costs a Georgia driver $13.57 – but driving those same 100 miles in an electric vehicle would cost only $3.53 or less.
As we shared with you in other recent blogs here and here, Georgia has become a national leader in electric vehicles, but many of our elected officials want to put the breaks on our state policies that benefit EVs in both HB 122 and in the transportation funding bill and impose new heavy fees on EV drivers. These efforts would slow the adoption of these new technologies. This new analysis also shows how important it is for Georgia to continue implementing forward-thinking policies that expand access to electric vehicles in the state.
Electric vehicles are cleaner and cheaper to fuel. While gas prices rise and fall, electricity rates in Georgia have been relatively stable for years and EVs protect drivers from that price volatility. Not only that, but money spent to power EVs is stays local. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, for every dollar spent on gasoline in the United States in the past five years, 71 cents went to extracting and refining crude oil, while less than a dime went to the local gas station (EIA 2014a; NACS 2014).
Elected officials should recognize how important electric vehicles are, and what a standout Georgia is on adopting them. Adoption of EVs will continue pay dividends to Georgians for many years to come. We encourage our leaders to consider these benefits, not to repeal this important, but support legislation that would keep a tax credit in place. Consider voicing your support for policies that promote electric vehicles today!