States Must “Drive the Bus” on Clean Transportation Solutions

In 2017, the transportation sector surpassed the electric power sector to become the largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution. Enormous progress has been made in the years since as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized long overdue clean vehicle standards and the Inflation Reduction Act made billions available in incentives to get more electric vehicles on the road. 

But the statistics haven’t budged—transportation remains the largest-emitting sector. And with electric vehicles squarely in the crosshairs of the new administration, it’s clear that we cannot change this equation without looking for other solutions beyond the federal government and the vehicles that people choose to drive. 

Right now, states bear the burden of maintaining progress on improving access to clean transportation. But where should they focus their efforts, and how can they get the job done in the face of so much federal pushback?  

NRDC is tackling this question by launching a new national coalition called the Clean RIDES Network (where RIDES stands for “responsible investments to decrease emissions in states”). The Clean RIDES Network unites more than 100 leading organizations—spanning climate, transit, housing, public health, business, and labor—working state by state to build sustainable transportation systems that cut costs for families, curb air pollution, and reduce time spent in traffic.  

We launched last month with local partners in seven states—California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania—that are ready to hit the pavement and work with their governors and legislatures to establish policies that support and direct transportation investments toward clean and equitable transportation options for their residents.  

Clean air, wider sidewalks, frequent buses, ample vehicle charging, joyful bike trails, and fast rail connections are all within reach. By getting states to prioritize these investments, Clean RIDES’ solutions will save people money and time, build more vibrant communities, and reduce air pollution.   

Our analysis of the opportunities in these seven states shows how we can have huge impacts, which will expand further as more states follow suit:  

• Increasing transportation options could save the average American household $1,678 per year.  
• Reducing traffic congestion saves every driver 28 hours of time each year.
• Eliminating an additional 2.26 gigatons of transportation emissions by 2050 is equivalent to the pollution of nearly 600 coal-fired power plants. 

Our own research confirms the need for these solutions.   

In NRDC’s latest version of its state transportation scorecard, Getting Transportation Right, we scored all 50 states and Washington, D.C., on an array of measures related to reducing transportation greenhouse gases and improving access to clean transportation.   

We crunched data across 21 policy and outcome metrics that measured a state’s commitment to equitable vehicle electrification, transit, and mobility; road safety; and low-carbon construction materials. Our assessment identified California and Vermont as the leaders, but it also showcased successful policy practices from across the country, highlighting opportunities for elected and appointed leaders in every state to go further and faster to equitably deliver transportation benefits to their constituents.  

Nevertheless, most states still have a long way to go to make significant progress. Vermont earned the top score on the strength of its electric vehicle policies, EV charging network, climate pollution reduction, and safety for people who bike and walk. But that score, only a 70.5 out of 100, shows that there is significant room for improvement, even among the top-scoring states.  

In particular, the scorecard revealed that expanding transportation choices is one of the two most impactful categories, comprising 32 percent of available points. It is also the category where states haven’t made enough progress. Only the District of Columbia and Hawai'i earned marginally more than 50 percent of the available points in this category. 

The combined efforts of leading states can shape the next federal Surface Transportation bill, which will come up for a vote starting in September 2026 and determines how transportation infrastructure will be funded for a five- to seven-year period.   

The success demonstrated by Clean RIDES Network states—and leading states on the NRDC transportation scorecard—will help to advance the key policies, programs, and guidance that the federal government can use to further shape state transportation investment decisions. 

There has never been a more important time for states to invest in cleaner, more affordable ways for Americans to get around without getting stuck in traffic and paying for it at the pump.