Seventy Percent of Voters Support Federal Action to Drive the Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles

Today, the American Lung Association released new poll results showing that an overwhelming majority (70%) of American voters – across all major demographic groups – support the federal government advancing policies to encourage a nationwide transition to electric vehicles.

In addition to robust support for the overall transition, voters across the political spectrum also overwhelmingly supported stronger emissions standards for cars and trucks, investments in charging infrastructure and consumer incentives to encourage the purchase of zero-emission vehicles.

“A nationwide transition to electric vehicles is urgently needed to improve lung health and advance health equity,” said American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold Wimmer. “Policies to eliminate emissions from cars, trucks, buses and delivery vans are a win-win. Zero-emission vehicles curb climate change and provide immediate benefits to health at the same time.”

Administered by Global Strategy Group, the poll showed that large majorities of voters in every demographic group – including Democrats, Independents and Republicans – support the federal government implementing policies that support a transition to zero-emission vehicles. Majorities of voters also thought that stronger tailpipe emissions standards for cars and trucks would benefit air quality, public health, their families’ health and the American economy.

Key findings from the poll include:  

• By a more-than-three-to-one margin, voters support the federal government implementing policies that support a transition to zero-emission vehicles. 
• 74% of voters supported the federal government setting stronger standards on tailpipe emissions from passenger cars and trucks, with the amount of emissions allowed declining over time.
• 70% of voters supported the federal government requiring that by 2040 all new freight trucks, buses and delivery vans sold in the U.S. must produce zero tailpipe emissions.
• 72% of voters agreed that the nation should make significant investments in zero-emission vehicles as part of efforts to rebuild the economy.
• After voters heard simulated arguments from both sides of the debate, including from opponents of federal policies to transition to zero-emission vehicles, support for all federal policies tested remained very strong.

“Support for the transition to a zero-emission future does not only exist in the abstract. Voters across the political spectrum also overwhelmingly support specific policies to achieve this goal,” said Andrew Baumann, Senior Vice President at Global Strategy Group.

“American voters support federal action to drive the nation to a pollution-free transportation future,” said Wimmer. “We call on the Biden Administration to take urgent, decisive action to slash vehicle emissions and improve public health.”

The analysis memo from Global Strategy Group can be found online. 

Methodology: 
Global Strategy Group conducted an online survey of 1,000 registered voters nationwide between May 28 and June 1, 2021. The survey had a confidence interval of+/-3.1%. Care has been taken to ensure the geographic, demographic, and political divisions among registered voters are properly represented.