Electric, autonomous vehicles could cut U.S. gasoline demand

What they found: They project that the introduction and adoption of autonomous vehicle tech will cut ride-hailing costs a lot, although total vehicle mileage likely rises as consumers use ride-hailing and car-sharing more.

• That's due to miles driven by AVs with no passengers, along with ride-hailing cannibalizing public transit, walking and bikes.
• But, but, but: The growth of EVs more than offsets the rise in fuel use from more traveling.

By the numbers, per the report:

• Gasoline demand could fall by 70% by 2050.
• Ride-hailing could account for more than 1/5 of light-duty vehicle miles traveled by 2050.
• A "base case" scenario envisions a massive rise in EV sales, one that vastly outstrips the latest (and pessimistic) Energy Information Administration outlook.
• EVs could account for 45% of U.S. light-duty sales in 2050, with hybrids and plug-in hybrids taking another 45%.

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