Research that Informs Business and Public Policy
Lowering subway fares would save energy and make cities greener. Subway ridership has fallen sharply around the world due to COVID-19. For most of the 170+ subway systems worldwide it … Continue Reading Five Arguments for Making Subways Free
There could be long run consequences for public transit ridership after this crisis is over. Currently, there are a large number of economists telling epidemiologists how to do their job … Continue Reading Will We Still Be Riding on the Same Bus Post Corona?
In the face of global uncertainty, policymakers should consider multiple scenarios for the future of electric vehicles. Climate policy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is tricky. Many people are struggling through … Continue Reading Energizing the Electric Car Market After the Crisis
Can we squeeze some long-run good out of this short-run disaster? The coronavirus has upended life in my household. I’m now toggling between teaching first-grade math and undergraduate economics, and … Continue Reading COVID-19 and the Climate
How Amazon and e-commerce may be harming the environment and what to do about it. E-commerce hit new records during the 2019 US holiday shopping season. Online shopping grew by … Continue Reading The Environmental Cost of Convenience
Millennials, carbon pricing, falling solar prices and Greta Thunberg topped our most-read list. I’m often asked, “Who actually writes the Energy Institute’s blog posts?” These questioners expect to hear that … Continue Reading Top 10 Blog Posts for 2019
A new paper shows that people drive less and slow down when gasoline prices rise. I drive an electric vehicle. So I am, of course, better than you and now … Continue Reading Taking The Pedal Off The Metal
The latest twist in the Trump fuel economy rollback. The year 1969 was highly notable—Apollo 11 landed on the moon, free love blossomed at Woodstock, and Richard Milhous Nixon was … Continue Reading Waving Goodbye to the California Waiver?
Install more parking at commuter rail stations, not just solar panels. I love me a good solar panel. I have them on my house and on my calculator. And, I’m … Continue Reading A Tale Of Two Stations
Californians have paid over $1800 per household. Now can we please find out why? California gas prices are over the dreaded $4 mark. That turns out to generate a lot … Continue Reading The Mystery Gasoline Surcharge Gets Some Respect
To meet ambitious climate goals EVs need to be more than niche product for rich people. It has been over a decade since Tesla introduced the original Roadster. At $100,000+ … Continue Reading An Electric Vehicle in Every Driveway?
EV drivers don’t pay the gasoline tax so pay less for roads. (Today’s post is co-authored by James Sallee) Every time we buy a gallon of gasoline, we help pay … Continue Reading Should Electric Vehicle Drivers Pay a Mileage Tax?
A recent experience with Uber/Lyft brought home the limits of market incentives. Max has been dreaming about a clean, autonomous future. Meanwhile, Uber and Lyft are both talking about initial … Continue Reading How Should We Regulate Safety for Autonomous Vehicles?
A new paper points out how consumers may respond to autonomous travel. A few months ago I was dreaming of a glorious autonomous electrified future. Yet sometimes science is the … Continue Reading _V_astly _M_ore _T_ravel
New evidence shows millennials are not so different after all. Starting around 2012 there was a lot of discussion about millennials being different. “Why Don’t Young Americans Buy Cars?” asked … Continue Reading Millennials Grab the Wheel and Step on the Gas
What is the Demand for EVs – really? When I envision the future in the Age of Aquarius, it lacks sound. Panther-like EVs, powered by Zen-monastery-quiet solar PV, are zipping … Continue Reading The EV Revolution Will Be Heavily Subsidized
