July 2020 Gasoline Phaseout News

Menlo Park Becomes First City to Adopt Gasoline Reduction Goal

Menlo Park, California became the first city in the United States to set a goal of reducing gasoline sales within its borders. The goal is to reduce gasoline sales within the city by 10% a year from a 2018 baseline. The goal is an integral part of the city’s climate action plan, which sets a path for the city to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. 

Burning gasoline in cars and trucks is by far the biggest cause of greenhouse gas emissions in California.. In Menlo Park, gasoline accounts for 56% of greenhouse gas emissions. 

Coltura’s Janelle London, the Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commissioner who first proposed the gasoline reduction goal, said, “Everyone in Menlo Park and across the nation has a responsibility to help save our climate. Perhaps not everyone can afford a new electric car, but everyone can work to cut their use of gasoline.”

She added, “Tracking gasoline sales is critical to assess whether transportation greenhouse gas reduction measures — like EV incentives and EV charging — are having the necessary effect of displacing gasoline. Once neighboring cities start tracking gasoline sales, it will become clear where the most gasoline is being sold in the region, and gasoline displacement strategies can be focused in those areas.”  

Menlo Park has already adopted a sustainable fleet policy requiring reduction of gasoline and diesel consumption by its public fleet by 5% a year from a 2018 baseline.

Click here for FAQs about the importance of reducing citywide gasoline sales.