Gasoline Fuel Cost Burdens on Tribal Lands Map
- Electric Nation Media
- Nov 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 12
The downloadable resources below illustrate the gasoline fuel cost burden on Tribal communities in the Upper Midwest. The map shows the concentration of gasoline Superusers--the top 10% of US drivers in terms of gasoline use--on Tribal lands.
Coltura Analysis of Gasoline Fuel Cost Burdens on Tribal lands
(Conducted for Native Sun Community Power Development)
Drivers living on tribal lands are classified as such if they live in a 2010 block group with the majority of its area intersecting with the American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AIANNH) Areas Shapefile.
Drivers living on tribal lands in the US who use large amounts of gasoline face a significant financial burden.
The top 10% of drivers in terms of gasoline consumption, known as "Superusers," consume 35% of all gasoline in the country. Households living on U.S. tribal lands bear a disproportionate share of the national gasoline costs, largely due to higher vehicle miles traveled (VMT), limited vehicle options and lengthy commute requirements. The financial toll of this high gasoline consumption exacerbates existing economic disparities. Electric vehicles provide a potential path forward, with the promise of reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
US light duty vehicle drivers in the top 10% in terms of their gasoline consumption (“Gasoline Superusers”) make up 21 million drivers.
While electric vehicles offer a promising route to reduce these gasoline burdens, upfront costs and limited access to charging infrastructure pose challenges. However, even with current EV prices and existing charging infrastructure, transitioning could provide meaningful financial relief for many higher-mileage drivers in tribal lands. Additionally, programs like Native Sun Community Power Development’s “Electric Nation” are providing EV charging infrastructure and even some EVs to help address this very issue.
Key Facts:
1.52% of U.S. drivers live on tribal lands, yet they consume 1.84% of the gasoline.
Superusers and non-Superusers living in tribal lands consume more gasoline on average than other drivers.
Superusers and non-Superusers on tribal lands drive more on average than other drivers.
Superusers and non-Superusers on tribal lands spend a higher percentage of household income on gasoline on tribal lands.
EV fuel savings as a share of household income are higher on tribal lands on average.
Superusers in tribal lands are disproportionately low income.’
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