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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Number of Electrified Fleets

Increased number of electrified fleets is a measurable indicator that should reveal an overall reduction in vehicle emissions. It is an indication that many efforts have been put in place to reduce vehicle emissions. Research reveals that there are more electrified fleets on the road than ever before, and the number of electrified fleets has grown rapidly in recent years. For example, in 2010 there were just over 1,000 EVs on the road in the United States, but by 2016 that number had grown to over half a million; and by 2030, it is estimated that there will be over 20 million EVs on the road in the United States alone.1

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

There are a few different ways to track the number of electrified fleets around the world. The International Energy Agency (IEA) holds one of the most comprehensive data sets by maintaining a database of electric vehicle fleets. Other useful sources of information include national government agencies and industry associations. One way to estimate the size of the global electrified fleet is to track sales of electric vehicles. This data is readily available from several sources, including automotive industry trade groups and research firms. However, it should be noted that not all electric vehicles are used in fleets, so this method will likely overestimate the true size of the electrified fleet. Another approach is to track the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure directly.2

Examples

General Services for Administration (GSA) Office of Fleet Management

The General Services for Administration’s (GSA) Office of Fleet Management offers a comprehensive range of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric and other new technology vehicles and solutions. By combining demand and developing acquisition strategies to buy charging stations and other equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the federal fleet, GSA is actively helping the federal community embrace electric cars more extensively. The GSA adopted the Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) to track changes in vehicle emissions and suggest ways to reduce them.

https://www.gsa.gov/buying-selling/products-services/transportation-logistics-services/fleet-management/

1. Plumer, B., Popovich, N., Migliozzi, B. Electric cars are coming. How long until they rule the road? The New York times [Internet]. 2021 Mar 11 [cited 2022 Aug 1]; Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/03/10/climate/electric-vehicle-fleet-turnover.html
2. Electric vehicles [Internet]. IEA. [cited 2022 Aug 1]. Available from: https://www.iea.org/fuels-and-technologies/electric-vehiclesa