Data on U.S. state-level electric vehicle policies, 2010–2015

Abstract

This data set documents the duration and value of U.S. state and local electric vehicle (EV) policies in effect from 2010 to 2015. Though the focus is on policies at the state-level, local government and electric utility policies are documented when they collectively cover a majority of the state׳s population or electricity customers. Data were collected first from the Alternative Fuel Database Center (AFDC), then supplemented with information taken from more than 300 government (state, city, and county) and utility websites. Nine separate EV-related policy instruments were identified, organized as capital financial incentives, operating financial incentives, preferred access incentives, and disincentives. Though most policy instruments act to support EV adoption, an increasing number of U.S. states are adopting an annual fee for EVs to support road maintenance costs. For vehicle purchase incentives, home charger subsidies, vehicle license tax or registration fees, and the annual EV fee, data was gathered on the money value of these policy instruments. For emissions inspection exemptions and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane access, an annual money value for each policy instrument is estimated. The other policy instruments, time-of-use (TOU) rates for electricity, designated parking and free parking, are reported as binary variables. For further discussion of EV policy instruments as well as interpretation of their values, see Wee et al. [1]. EV policy instruments often differentiate between all-battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Data is similarly organized with this distinction. Keywords: Electric vehicles, State policies