Beyond Gasoline

The Beyond Gasoline Initiative has the goal of ending gasoline use in the Silicon Valley promptly, equitably, and smoothly. It is a collaboration between Joint Venture Silicon Valley and Coltura, a non-profit with the mission of to promote climate, health, and equity by speeding the transition from gasoline to cleaner alternatives.

What are we doing?

Beyond Gasoline (BGI) aims to accelerate Silicon Valley’s emergence as a world leader in the transition away from gasoline and inspire other regions to do the same. Just as Silicon Valley has led the effort to eliminate natural gas from new construction, through BGI it will lead the transition beyond gasoline.

Home to the world’s best-selling electric vehicle company and cutting-edge electric vehicle charging technology, Silicon Valley is already moving in the right direction. It has the highest rate of electric vehicle adoption in the country and many of its cities and businesses are making bold sustainability plans. BGI will build on that momentum to achieve gasoline reduction at the speed and scale required to meet the urgency of the climate crisis. It will spur stronger policies and actions targeted at gasoline reduction and it will educate and empower citizens to make the transition from gasoline use to cleaner forms of mobility. These measures will advance climate, health, and equity in Silicon Valley and pave the way for beyond-gasoline measures at the state and federal level.

Why are we doing it?

Gasoline is the biggest source of human-caused carbon emissions in Silicon Valley and across the state, as well as a leading cause of air pollution. Its impacts affect disadvantaged communities and people of color first and worst. Scientists tell us that we must cut fossil fuel use in half by 2030 and eliminate it altogether by 2040 to have our best chance of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. In California, ending gasoline use over the next two decades is necessary to meet the state’s 2045 carbon neutrality target.

There is no question that we must transition off gasoline. The only question is how do it quickly, smoothly, and equitably. Silicon Valley is the perfect region to develop and evangelize the answer.

Who's involved?

The Beyond Gasoline initiative at Joint Venture is an arm of Coltura, a nonprofit working toward a gasoline-free America.

What are the latest developments?

BGI is currently gathering data on gasoline consumption and electric vehicle adoption at the county, city, and zip code level.

BGI signed a memo of understanding with Joint Venture Silicon Valley in September 2020 to promote climate, health & equity by speeding the transition from gasoline to cleaner alternatives in Silicon Valley.

State policy groundwork for phasing out new gas-powered vehicles has occurred over the last several years, beginning with the first op-ed in 2017 calling for California to phase out sales of new gasoline-powered vehicles. In 2018, a coalition was formed to support gas car phaseout legislation. The first convening in California of experts on policies to reach 100% Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) culminated in the report “100% Zero: Solutions to Achieve Universal Zero-Emission Vehicle Adoption.” In 2019, a bill moved forward as a $1.5 m item in the state budget to identify strategies to make a complete transition to zero emission vehicles.

The movement took a giant step forward in September 2020, when California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order requiring sales of all new passenger vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035 and additional measures to eliminate harmful emissions from the transportation sector.

What are the next steps?

The Beyond Gasoline Initiative’s goals are to:

• Cut gasoline consumption in Silicon Valley 50% by 2030.
• Shift transportation culture to reject gasoline and embrace cleaner alternatives.

BGI’s methods to achieve those goals are:

• Build a coalition of government, business and organization leaders to advance effective gasoline reduction policies.
• Collect data regarding gasoline use, the adoption of alternative transportation and city and business gasoline reduction policies, and commitments in Silicon Valley in collaboration with Joint Venture’s Institute for Regional Studies.
• Form partnerships with City governments. Partner with cities to adopt gasoline reduction measures such as public fleet electrification, vendor clean delivery requirements, and citywide gasoline sales reduction goals.
• Form partnerships with businesses. Partner with businesses interested in making gasoline-reduction commitments to take actions such as electrifying corporate fleets, reducing gas-powered deliveries, and enabling employees to avoid using gasoline in connection with work.
• Influence Gasoline Culture. Inspire Silicon Valley elected officials to call publicly for a gasoline-free future; gain news and media coverage of the Beyond Gasoline Initiative; convene performance art and cultural events.
• Educate. Publish a gasoline picture book and promote it to elementary school districts and library branches. Launch a Beyond Gasoline website and digital campaign.
• Raise funds.

Where do I find out more?

To learn more about the Beyond Gasoline Initiative, please contact:

Janelle London
Executive Director

(650) 644-1199

Additional info also available on the Coltura webpage.