Resource Type: Social Science Research

I recently traded in my plug-in hybrid for an all-electric model, marking the full transition of our household to electric vehicles (EVs)! Last year, EVs accounted for a record-high 7% of new car sales in the US. Climate advocates expect the Biden Administration to release final vehicle emissions standards that will put the US on a path toward a zero-emission transportation future in the next few weeks.
The Lab last covered research and insights related to EVs* in 2021. While many of our past recommendations hold up, the advocacy context has evolved significantly over the last 3 years! Read on for updates across the vehicle electrification space.

Referencing foreign backing of protest activity can influence public opinion on the protest issue. This research finds that public accusations of foreign meddling damage protest groups by reducing public support. In surveys conducted in the United States and Canada, this research finds that credible accusations of foreign interference erode support by discrediting protester groups among sympathizers and inflaming nationalist fears. Indeed, such accusations delegitimize protest movements even among those sympathetic to the cause. Conditional factors, such as the type of foreign assistance or the identity of the meddling state, have no impact.