Transportation

What's at stake

Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and accounts for 37 percent of total carbon emissions worldwide. In many places, cars remain the primary and most reliable mode of transportation. And our consumer economy rests heavily on diesel-powered trucking. Meanwhile, the global electric vehicle (EV) market and associated technology continue to advance—but the United States remains a laggard, with the country’s insufficient EV charging infrastructure representing one major hurdle we need to clear. Further, U.S. consumers do not enjoy access to the same range of EV options as consumers in other nations, even as the vast majority of drivers who switch to electric never go back to gas. 

Additionally, transportation agency resources at the state and federal levels chiefly go toward highway expansion, when those funds are often better spent repairing roadways, expanding public transit and safe walking and biking lanes, and developing EV infrastructure. The consequences undermine pollution reduction goals, waste taxpayer dollars, perpetuate car dependence, and limit investment in public transit and sustainable communities. It’s time to change the status quo that benefits the oil and gas industry at the expense of consumers. Commonsense policies and investments can give people the option to drive EVs, take public transportation, and choose other ways of getting around that suit their needs and benefit our climate. 

How NRDC is making a difference

NRDC’s transportation team is dedicated to accelerating electrification while expanding equitable and affordable mobility solutions. We work to drive public and private investments into EV charging through engagement at state and federal agencies that help plan the grid and build new infrastructure. We also seek to increase the adoption of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EVs by defending and strengthening standards, pursuing supportive policies, and facilitating greater incentives for EV uptake. Simultaneously, we are focused on increasing public transit and promoting more biking and walking by shaping transportation funding legislation and partnering with communities seeking change. These actions support households and consumers and can help address the affordability crisis exacerbated by our reliance on expensive gas and diesel prices at the pump. 

Our clean transportation work has also grown globally. NRDC advocates based in China and India help to develop policy resources and technical recommendations to advance electric mobility and charging infrastructure so that these two economic powerhouses can march ahead to meet their climate goals too.