As Ohio gas prices climb, local officials push for clean transportation

By Nadia Ramlagan

Gas prices are hovering around $4 a gallon in Ohio and families are already feeling squeezed.

Local officials in Toledo are calling for continued federal and state investment in clean energy and transportation to ease the financial burden on communities.

Nick Komives, a member of the Toledo City Council, said access to more fuel-efficient cars, along with hybrid and electric vehicles, will benefit households in the long run. Komives added for generations, the city of Toledo has been a leader in manufacturing and said residents have seen what happens when investments disappear.

"That's why rolling back clean vehicle standards and eliminating incentives for electric vehicles is the wrong move at the wrong time," Komives contended.

Recent research on clean vehicles — specifically, battery-electric vehicles — shows they reduce lifetime greenhouse gas emissions by between 40% and 73% compared to gas cars.

Benjamin Pushka, sustainability coordinator for the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, said climate resilience is becoming increasingly important for communities as severe weather events strain resources and infrastructure.

"Here in Lucas County, we don't even have to imagine what that looks like. We're experiencing devastating tornadoes, powerful windstorms, extreme heat, and prolonged power outages," Pushka pointed out.

A national movement called Freedom to Drive has launched in Ohio and other states, highlighting how clean cars, hybrids and EVs save money, increase jobs and reduce air pollution.