Fuel Economy, Electric Vehicle Rebates, and Gas Taxes: 10 Years of Transportation Policies in the NSEE

July 2018

This report examines American attitudes about policies that could reduce emissions from the transportation sector. We use time-series data to consider shifts in support for policies that require auto makers to sell more fuel-efficient vehicles, and how that support shifts when a price tag for vehicle purchase is applied to such policies. We also consider how American support for increasing gasoline excise taxes as a way to reduce driving and transportation-based emissions has changed over time. Furthermore, we discuss American support for providing tax rebates for purchasing electric vehicles, and recount past NSEE polling on support for providing similar rebates for hybrid electric vehicles.