Accepting and implementing transport pricing policies for climate: A review of evidence and research gaps

This paper surveys evidence for public acceptance of transportation pricing measures for greenhouse gas mitigation goals, and potential pathways for successful policy implementation. Focusing on carbon and gasoline taxes, road tolls, congestion pricing, and VKT pricing, we categorize evidence into acceptance patterns regarding policy design, user perceptions, equity impacts, and implementation. Several results are strong and consistent across the literature, starting with significantly stronger opposition to all pricing forms compared to most other climate policies. Evidence is also strong that opposition increases with higher stringency level, perceptions of unfair or ineffective outcomes, low government trust, and lower climate concern. Regarding policy design, we identify numerous research gaps and uncertainties, such as the need to better understand how support can vary by pricing type, program goal, and usage of revenues. Regarding user perceptions, important gaps include addressing negative personal impacts, and better understanding the potential role of user experience and a trial phase. Finally, evidence is particularly weak regarding pathways for successful implementation; studies rely on a small number of qualitative case studies. Other gaps include exploring acceptance among stakeholder groups, and the role of policy mixes and sequencing in successful implementation. We conclude with key considerations for policymakers.