The Many Benefits of Driving on Electricity

Georgia has emerged as a leading U.S. market for electric vehicles, driven by state tax credits for vehicles and charging infrastructure. In 2014, EV drivers in Georgia saved an average of over $850 in fuel costs, contributing to a total state saving of $10 million and a reduction of over 22,000 tons of climate change emissions. The document highlights that EVs offer lower maintenance costs and lower global warming emissions than conventional vehicles, with benefits increasing as Georgia's electricity grid incorporates more renewable energy. To sustain growth, the report emphasizes the need for ongoing policy support, consumer education, and public-private partnerships.

• Georgia established itself as a top U.S. market for electric vehicles by July 2014, ranking second in the country for registered EVs with an estimated total exceeding 12,000. Additionally, Atlanta held the second-highest percentage of EV registrations among major U.S. metropolitan areas.
• State-level financial incentives have been primary drivers of EV adoption. The Zero Emission Vehicle Tax Credit provides a reimbursement of 20 percent of the EV cost (up to $5,000) for both purchased and leased vehicles, while the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Tax Credit offers businesses a 10 percent reimbursement (up to $2,500) for installing charging infrastructure.
• EVs provided significant fuel cost savings in Georgia during 2014. The average EV driver saved more than $850 compared to a gasoline-powered vehicle driver, resulting in a total of $10 million in fuel savings for all Georgia EV drivers that year.
• Driving on electricity is substantially cheaper per mile than gasoline in Georgia. In 2014, driving 100 miles in an average new gasoline vehicle cost $13.57, whereas the same distance in an EV cost an average of $3.53, and as low as $0.40 when using the lowest nighttime electricity rates.
• EVs offer lower operational costs due to reduced maintenance requirements. Because they have fewer moving parts and utilize regenerative braking to reduce brake pad wear, one study indicated that maintaining an EV can be 60 percent less expensive than maintaining a conventional vehicle.
• EVs in Georgia reduce environmental impact by eliminating tailpipe emissions and lowering overall global warming emissions. An average battery-electric EV in Georgia produces fewer emissions than a gasoline vehicle achieving 47 miles per gallon; if charged with renewable energy, the emissions are equivalent to a gasoline vehicle getting over 500 miles per gallon.
• The environmental benefits of EVs are expected to increase as Georgia's power grid becomes greener. Georgia Power is expanding its renewable portfolio and projected it would have the nation's largest voluntary solar portfolio by 2016.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2015). The Many Benefits of Driving on Electricity. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/02/EVs%2520and%2520Georgia.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. The Many Benefits of Driving on Electricity. 2015. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/02/EVs%2520and%2520Georgia.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=The Many Benefits of Driving on Electricity |date=February 2015 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/02/EVs%2520and%2520Georgia.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2015many, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{The Many Benefits of Driving on Electricity}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2015}, month = feb, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/02/EVs%2520and%2520Georgia.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }