CLEE is assembling and updating the most recent research, key guidance documents, state-level analyses, and other media related to equity in the EV transition. This resource collection is intended to help local leaders and stakeholders navigate the EV transition’s wide-ranging literature, bolster their own action plans, and identify measures to advance equity in planning and development.
Blueprints, Guidance, & Recommendations
Overview of Residential EV Charging Across the Public Right-of-Way Programs (CLEE, 2024): Short summary of permit and guidance programs allowing residents to run charging cables across the sidewalk in four US cities.
Unlocking Opportunities: Apply for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Funding (TEEM, 2024): A summary for local and state policymakers of the federal CFI program, including key deadlines, eligibility criteria, project types, and considerations for applicants and stakeholders.
Roadmap to Equitable Community Transportation: Best Practices for Conducting Mobility Needs Assessments (Greenlining Institute, 2024): This report highlights best practices for community engagement organizations to include in their mobility needs assessments. GLI uses a literature review, case studies and stakeholder interviews to identify seven measures to help “uphold equity in community engagement and planning.” The elevated practices include building relationships with community based organizations, integrating multi-sector approaches, and compensating community members, among others.
Planning and Zoning Guidance for Electric Vehicle Charger Deployment (RMI, IREC, and SEAC, 2023): Policy guidance for local government permitting and approval of EV chargers, including sample legal language, overviews of parking and design requirements, and suggested approval process workflows.
Best Practices for Model Multifamily Charging Programs (Forth Mobility, 2023): This brief report describes why charging for multifamily housing is important and summarizes a series of broadly defined best practices to inform program leaders. The report’s preliminary case for MUD charging incorporates equity considerations, noting the high concentration of low income renters living in apartments. Best practices highlighted in the report (among others) include: Center Equity; Ensure the Community Benefits; Leverage Multiple Funding Sources.
Best Practice Guide for EVSE Regulations (Electric Vehicle Council, 2022): Compendium of EV infrastructure permitting strategies including case studies of local approaches from leading cities on permitting, parking, building codes, and more.
Pole-Mounted Electric Vehicle Charging: Preliminary Guidance (WRI, 2021): Overview of pole-mounted programs including ownership issues (poles and equipment), load management, site selection, installation, operation, and community engagement. Includes process guidance on program viability assessment, deployment planning, siting and installation, and operation.
How to Amp Up Transportation Transformation: Guidebook for Funding and Financing Electrification (Electrification Coalition, 2021): Overview of federal and state funding programs and general financing strategies available for transportation electrification projects including EV infrastructure.
Mobility Hub Implementation Playbook (MTC, 2021): MTC guidance for local governments seeking to implement multi-modal and electrified mobility hubs, including design, governance, and community engagement strategies.
Energize Solutions: Charging & Grid Infrastructure Policies to Electrify Transportation (Atlas Public Policy, 2024): This report provides an overview of clean mobility policy interventions “that can help accelerate deployment and reduce the costs of charging infrastructure for EVs.” Policies are directed toward various levels of governments and utilities, and they are grouped into three primary categories (Reduce cost of grid connection, reduce other costs, and attract private sector investment). Some policy considerations include the development of hosting capacity maps, EV supportive building codes, and utility make-ready tariffs, among many other proposals.
Advancing Equitable Community-based Transportation Planning (Othering and Belonging Institute, 2024): An evaluation of two CARB-administered clean mobility grant programs that fund transportation needs in disadvantaged communities. The report draws from grant documents, participant observations, and stakeholder interviews to identify the programs’ successes and challenges then offers a series of recommendations to advance equity in transportation program planning and implementation.
AchiEVe: Model Policies to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption (Sierra Club, Plug in America, FORTH, and the Electrification Coalition, 2023): An extensive catalog of model policies that address different areas of the clean mobility transition “in an effective, sustainable, and equitable way.” Intended to help guide policymakers and advocates, and begins with a series of navigation tables that assign policy relevance to different decision-makers and stakeholders.
Electric Vehicle Program Designs and Strategies to Enhance Equitable Deployment (Energy Markets & Policy, 2023): This report synthesizes findings from 60+ reports between 2015-2023 (national, regional, state-level EVSE program summaries, updates, policy briefs & others), highlighting three “Key Activities” to optimize equitable development: 1) Cultivating Partnerships, 2) Identifying a Community’s Unique Needs, and 3) Developing an Iterative Program Design. The report intends to inform EVSE program leaders or decision makers, identifying three broad “supporting processes” within each “key activity” alongside example strategies for equitable EVSE deployment.
EV Charging Infrastructure: Business Models and Cities Case Studies (C40, 2023): Overview of city archetypes in EV charging deployment and case study analysis of seven global cities’ charging business models and policy frameworks.
Using Mapping Tools to Prioritize Electric Vehicle Charger Benefits to Underserved Communities (OSTI, 2022): This report addresses the need for mapping tools to guide EV charging infrastructure development. The analysis draws from discussions with key EV infrastructure stakeholders (including state agencies, utilities, Environmental Justice organizations, and DOE national laboratory experts) to elevate best practices and use cases associated with EV infrastructure mapping tools.
Increasing Equitable EV Access and Charging (RMI, 2022): Overview of barriers faced by lower-income drivers, examination of the California Clean Cars and Clean Air Act, and state policy recommendations to encourage equitable EV access and optimize beneficial outcomes.
Funding Transportation Electrification in California (CPUC Public Advocates Office, 2022): Analysis of vehicle electrification funding needs with recommendations for revenue sources other than utility ratepayer funds.
Models for Incorporating Equity in Transportation Electrification: Considerations for Public Utility Regulators (National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, 2022): This report considers equity in the EV transition from the utility perspective. The report introduces a range of equity considerations (benefits and challenges), then proposes a series of initiatives for utility regulators to adopt as a means to enhance equity in EVSE development. (Each proposed initiative is accompanied by a list of existing utility companies that have implemented the initiative.) Example initiative categories include: education and outreach; rate design and managed charging; incentives and investment for EVSE in frontline communities.
Funding San Francisco Climate Action (CLEE, November 2022): Analysis of funding and financing strategies to generate revenue needed to support equitable implementation of San Francisco’s ambitious 2021 emissions reduction plan, including EV infrastructure investments.
Amping Up EV Incentives: Making the Transition to Electrification Faster and More Equitable (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2021): Analysis of improving federal EV incentives to address equity gaps in the car market and restricting eligibility for EV incentive programs including income caps and sales or transaction price caps.
Expanding Access to Electric Vehicles in California’s Low-Income Communities (Journal of Science Policy & Governance, 2021): Overview of the challenges of deploying EVs in California and policy recommendations to expand EV charging infrastructure to low-income communities.
Policies for a Mature, Flourishing & Equitable EV Charging Ecosystem (Global Sustainable Mobility Partnership, 2021): Analysis of policy requirements to address EV charging equitability challenges and overcome barriers to developing a commercial vehicles charging market.
A Quantitative, Equitable Framework for Urban Transportation Electrification: Oakland, California as a Mobility Model of Climate Justice (Sustainable Cities and Society, 2021): Framework for identifying opportunities for equitable electrification of transportation, including case study of Oakland private and public transportation areas.
Curb Enthusiasm: Report for On-Street Electric Vehicle Charging (NYSERDA, 2019): State-commissioned study of curbside charging options and strategies for New York City. Includes case studies of public and private programs in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Sacramento, Berkeley, Indianapolis, Columbus, Jersey City, London, Copenhagen, and Oslo.
Designing Policy Incentives for Cleaner Technologies: Lessons from California’s Plug-In Electric Vehicle Rebate Program (Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 2017): Analysis of alternative rebate designs for EVs using a vehicle choice model, finding lower income groups are more responsive to rebate dollars. Policy suggestions for re-design of EV rebate programs to achieve greater allocative equity at a lower cost.
Research
Effects of electric vehicle charging stations on the economic vitality of local businesses (Nature Communications 2024): A research study that links charging station placement to spending at nearby businesses. The study draws data from “over 4,000 EV charging stations and 140,000 business establishments in California” and identifies a 1.4% average increase in annual spending at nearby establishments.
A Green New Deal for California Cities: Empowering Communities Through Climate Infrastructure (Data for Progress, 2024): This report draws from five community workshops to identify “key factors [that] drive openness or opposition to energy sources and climate technologies.” The report documents a series of findings and from the workshops alongside corresponding recommendations–including a proposal to build community trust by embedding co-creation and co-management practices in energy projects.
Comparing the Total Cost of Ownership of the Most Popular Vehicles in the United States (Atlas Public Policy, 2024): This fact sheet report compares the total cost of vehicle ownership (includes costs associated with both upfront purchase and driving) between 2023’s most popular gas-powered vehicles and similar electric vehicle options. The report finds that “in every case, the total cost of owning an electric vehicle is lower than the gasoline-powered alternative.”
EV Fill Up Savings Tool (Energy Innovation Policy & Technology, 2024): Energy Innovation’s EV Fill Up Tool visually catalogs vehicle fueling prices and the savings associated with clean mobility technologies in each U.S. state. The tool combines state-specific gasoline and and electricity prices with vehicle range data to offer comparisons between various gas-powered and clean vehicle technologies.
EV Cost Saving Report, Dashboard, and Calculator (Coltura): Report (updated quarterly) provides an analysis of fuel cost savings associated with driving an EV in the US–based on average gasoline prices, utility rates, and fuel efficiency. Most recent edition reports significant fuel savings in all 50 states, with an average of $100 per month. The corresponding Dashboard and Calculator allow users to navigate through cost saving information with state-, vehicle-, and driver-type specifications.
Assessing Progress and Equity in the distribution of electric vehicle rebates using appropriate comparisons (Transport Policy, 2023): Demographic analysis of electric vehicle rebate recipient that “calibrates conversations about the equity of electric vehicles and incentives.” Findings distinguish home ownership and male sex/gender identification as particularly predictive of EV consumption.
Gasoline Superusers 2.0 (Coltura, 2023): Analysis of California gasoline consumption by zip code, identifying communities and counties with a high percentage of “superusers” who face long commutes and higher fuel burdens, and making recommendations for policymakers to prioritize these drivers first in the EV transition.
The 2030 National Charing Network: Estimating U.S. Light-Duty Demand for EV Charging Infrastructure (NREL, 2023): This report forecasts future vehicle sales / EV adoption patterns in response to policies and industry goal-setting. The projections substantiate the need to expand the national charging network & accommodate EVs’ growing market share. The report’s analysis is national in scope but includes a simulation framework that “enables inspection of results by state and city.”
Second AB 2127 Electric Vehicle Charging Assessment (California Energy Commission, 2023): State analysis of charging needed to support EV fleet in 2030 and 2035, identifying need of over 2.1 million light-duty and 260,000 heavy-duty chargers by 2035, among a range of scenarios.
Southeastern Community Mobility Roadmap (Pueblo Planning, 2022): Overview of engagement process in Southeastern San Diego that identified community mobility priorities and selected a project for pilot funding through participatory budgeting.
Survey Says: Considerable Interest in Electric Vehicles across Racial, Ethnic Demographics (Consumer Reports, 2022): Survey across racial demographics of overall interest in purchasing an EV, barriers or concerns limiting EV interest, and experience with EVs. Policy recommendations to close demographic gaps in EV ownership.
AB 2127 Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Assessment (California Energy Commission, 2021): Analysis of charging needs to support California’s plug-in electric vehicles in 2030 outlining the need for aligning EV charging with renewable energy generation, tailoring charging solutions to local and community needs, and prioritizing charging standards and innovation.
Update on Electric Vehicle Adoption across US Cities (The International Council on Clean Transportation, 2020): Assessment of the US EV market in 2019, including developments in charging infrastructure, policy support, and EV uptake. Underlying factors of EV market adoption are mainly charging infrastructure, model availability, and promotion actions.
A Review of Consumer Preferences of and Interactions with Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (Transport and Environment 2018): Draws from questionnaires, interviews, modeling, GPS data and EVSE equipment to evaluate consumer preferences for charging infrastructure – how they interact with and use the infrastructure. Findings indicate that the most important location for EV charging is at home (then work, then public locations).
Time to Stop Racing Cars: The Role of Race and Ethnicity in Buying and Using a Car (National Consumer Law Center, 2019): Examines how the “costs of buying, financing, and using a car can vary based on race or ethnicity.” The report recommends a list of strategies to create a less discriminatory vehicle marketplace, including bans on dealer interest rate markups, enhanced enforcement of ECOA and state fair lending laws, and others.
Equity in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (Resources for the Future, 2024): Draws from a literature review and interviews with community-based and non-governmental organizations to create a framework for equitable EV charging expansion. The report identifies measures to reduce–and avoid exacerbating–existing inequities in charging station investment through four principles of justice.
An Analysis of California Electric Vehicle Incentive Distribution and Vehicle Registration Rates Since 2015 (UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, 2024): This report evaluates the funding distribution of six major California EV incentive programs, with a focus on equitable program uptake. The study finds that since 2010, “statewide clean vehicle programs have been skewed toward providing incentives to households in non-disadvantaged communities” – with only 15% funds directed to households in disadvantaged communities. The authors provide policy recommendations for an equitable EV transition–including increased funding for targeted EV equity programs, improved vehicle financing options, and increased charging infrastructure, among others.
Can the Equitable Rollout of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Be Achieved? (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2023): Review of existing EV infrastructure targets around the world and literature on structures to ensure equitable deployment, identifying a need for market intervention to prevent inequitable outcomes.
Inequality and the future of electric mobility in 36 U.S. Cities: An innovative methodology and comparative assessment (Energy Research & Social Justice, 2022): Study evaluates transportation inequities and their policy implications, drawing from 36 U.S. cities. Uses socio-spatial and transportation data to compare transportation and health outcomes across five different “micro-urban social typology (MUST)” – categorized into wealthy, urban disadvantaged, urban renters, middle-class homeowners, and rural/exurban groups. Identifies a need for “user-centric” policy strategies that “go beyond the electrification of private vehicles and [is] tailored to the specific characteristics of each MUST.
Toward Social Equity Access and Mobile Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles: A Case Study in Los Angeles (Applied Energy, 2022): Analysis of social equity access and mobile charging stations for EVs, finding equity solutions through prioritized demand and social equity access indices.
Autonomous Vehicle Policies with Equity Implications: Patterns and Gaps (Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 2022): Review of autonomous vehicle policies, finding different categories of policies, including access and inclusion, multimodal transportation, and community wellbeing. Analysis concludes low considerations for people with low incomes and people of color.
Inequitable Access to EV Charging Infrastructure (NYU, 2022): Analyzes the distribution of EV charging infrastructure in New York City and identifies a heavy skew against low-income, black, disinvested neighborhoods; population density is not a determinant of charging availability and affordability. The analysis is specific to New York City, but it likely reflects a pattern that supply/demand models for EVSE development can enforce in any city, and it substantiates the case for “justice-centric policy frameworks” in EVSE decision-making.
Electric Vehicle Car-Sharing and Secondhand Market Development in Frontline Communities in California and Europe (California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, 2022): Evaluation of land use policies for EV car-sharing and secondhand programs for “communities experiencing continuing injustice”. Paper presents key barriers, results, and recommendations for EV car-sharing programs and initiatives to facilitate secondary market EV lease/ownership for frontline communities.
Sustaining Clean Mobility Equity Programs: Equitable Funding for Equitable Mobility (Greenlining Institute, 2021): Evaluation of California’s clean mobility equity programs, results show lack of financial sustainability and stability catering to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
A Perspective on Equity in the Transition to Electric Vehicles (MIT Science Policy Review, 2021): Analysis of electric vehicle buyers finding EV incentives do not incorporate equity and EV charging infrastructure is not equitably dispersed. The playbook highlights 6 standards for equitable investment and 4 components of sustaining clean mobility equity programs.
Senate Bill 1000 Report: Increasing Access to Electric Vehicle Infrastructure for All (California Energy Commission, 2020): Analysis of EV infrastructure distribution in California by geography, population density, and income levels finding uneven distribution of charging infrastructure across air districts and counties.
Expanding Zero-Emission Mobility Equity and Access – Workshop Report (ZEV Alliance, 2019): This report summarizes knowledge and findings from a series of expert convenings about expanding ZEV access. The series centered discussions about how “groups, projects, and policies are working to expand access to zero-emission mobility and push for broader and more equitable inclusion of more communities in the transition.” More specifically, topics discussed included issue framing, financial incentives, infrastructure investment, economic benefits, and ZEV communication methods.
Low-Income Barriers Study, Part B: Overcoming Barriers to Clean Transportation Access for Low-Income Residents (California Air Resources Board, 2018): Overview of barriers to accessing clean transportation and mobility options for low-income residents and recommendations to overcome barriers such as expanding assessments of resident needs and developing outreach plans.
Mobility Equity Framework: How to Make Transportation Work for People (Greenlining Institute, 2018): Framework for community-centered transportation planning process focused on communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. The proposed mobility equity framework is built on 3 steps and 12 indicators.
An Early Look at Plug-In Electric Vehicle Adoption in Disadvantaged Communities in California (Transport Policy, 2019): Investigation of EV adoption in disadvantaged communities in California, results conclude lower adoption of new and used EVs in DACs.
California’s Early Transition to Electric Vehicles: Observed Health and Air Quality Co-Benefits (Science of the Total Environment, 2023): Analysis of co-benefits of early EV transition, regarding air quality and health impacts. Results highlight California’s adoption gap in ZEVs threatens equitable distribution of public health co-benefits.
Driving to Clean Air: Health Benefits of Zero-Emission Cars and Electricity (American Lung Association, 2023): State-by-state analysis of public health and economic benefits of reduced air pollution from a 100% clean vehicle and electricity transition.
Emissions Redistribution and Environmental Justice Implications of California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (PLOS Climate, 2023): Analysis of air quality impacts of California EV rebate program finding that benefits accrued more in non-disadvantaged communities than in DACs, due to disproportionate use of rebates by higher-income residents.
Greenhouse gas emissions embodied in electric vehicle charging infrastructure (Environmental Research, 2023): This study describes and measures the greenhouse gas emissions embodied in the installation and operation of electric vehicle charging equipment. The results indicate that “cumulative GHG emissions for [charger] buildout and use are negligible.” The prospective GHG reduction benefits of vehicle electrification (potentially stimulated by EV charging scale-up) are found to far outweigh the emissions incurred by EV charging components, “even assuming relatively high carbon inputs prior to decarbonization.”
Why are charging stations associated with electric vehicle adoption? Untangling effects in three United States metropolitan areas (Energy Research & Social Science, 2022): This study evaluates three possible reasons for the established positive association between charging stations and electric vehicle adoption. The three explanations include 1) lower range anxiety, 2) lower perceived mobility restriction, and 3) more positive pro-BEV subjective norms. The study finds that “greater perceived subjective norms in support of BEVs explain much of the association between charger density and adoption intent.” Range anxiety is found to play a small role in the association, while perception of mobility restriction shows no identifiable effect.
Auto Finance in the Electric Vehicle Transition (Klee, Morse, Shin 2024): Evaluates household auto loan interest rates and defaults using 85 million observations on U.S. auto loans. Finds 30% lower default rates among EV owners relative to ICE vehicle owners; 2.2% lower interest rates for EVs relative to ICE vehicles; and various other financial considerations that “tilt the calculus for households toward electric vehicles.”
Funding, Financing, & Investment Strategies to Advance Clean Mobility Infrastructure in Priority Communities (CLEE, 2024): CLEE and Prospect Silicon Valley convened an advisory group of experts in climate and public finance, clean mobility, and city infrastructure investment to develop innovative proposals for clean mobility enhancement. This report outlines the top financing and revenue strategies identified by the group to bring city-scale and mobility infrastructure solutions to fruition.
Michigan Local Government Leaders Report Increases in Local Planning for Electric Vehicles (The Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, 2024): This public policy report presents Michigan local government leaders’ views on electric vehicle policy, “including the relevance of EV infrastructure planning for their government, whether they currently have or are considering local EV policies, and challenges to local EV infrastructure expansion.” Findings indicate a considerable increase in the perceived relevance of EV infrastructure planning among local officials since 2019, with greater relevance reported among leaders in urban areas. Prevalent EV considerations reported include vehicle fleet conversions, local policy development, and community education. Key barriers cited include charging infrastructure costs and limited interest among residents.
Assessing the spatial distributions of public electric vehicle charging stations with emphasis on equity considerations in King County, Washington (Sustainable Cities and Society, 2024): Uses a gravity model to assess the accessibility and distribution of public charging stations in King County, Washington. Examines the distribution through various equity perspective and finds significantly higher station accessibility “in areas with a lower share of single-family homes, a higher share of commercial areas, and proximity to major roadways” – among other findings.
A quantitative, equitable framework for urban transportation electrification: Oakland, California as a mobility model of climate justice (Sustainable Cities and Society, 2021): Applies a spatial framework for equitable transportation electrification to the City of Oakland, CA. Pairs air quality data with socioeconomic indicators to evaluate the framework and identify areas to prioritize transport incentives. Includes evaluations of bus routes and census tracts, solar rooftop power systems as a means of charging buses, and public and private transportation incentives.
Mapping Opportunities for Transportation Electrification to Address Social Marginalization and Air Pollution Challenges in Greater Mexico City (Environmental Science Technology, 2020): Proposes a “city-specific environmental justice mapping index” that identifies suitable areas for clean transportation interventions in Great Mexico City. Leverages “spatially resolved population, pollution, and transportation data” to produce open source, updatable index scores as points of orientation for electric mobility infrastructure and investment decision makers.
The State of Electric Vehicle Charging for Multifamily Housing (Energy Innovation, 2024): Energy Innovation analyzed EV charging accessibility for multifamily housing (MFH) residents across 69 different cities throughout the U.S. and ranks each city’s MFH charging accommodation accordingly. The report provides policy recommendations to increase charging accessibility for MFH residents via expansions in both public and on-site charging options.
Electric vehicle charging at multifamily homes in the United States: barriers, solutions, and selected equity considerations (International Council on Clean Transportation, 2024): Documents barriers to EV charging for multifamily housing residents and surveys possible solutions and best practices to address barriers. Highlights equity considerations for policymakers, regulators, MFH owners, managers, and residents.
Plugging into Mobility Needs at Lower-Income Multifamily Housing (RMI, 2024): RMI led a collaborative pilot project “aimed to identify charging solutions that align with the transportation needs of residents in lower-income multifamily housing” in three cities. This report discusses key processes and findings from the pilot while offering actor-specified recommendations for overcoming charging barriers among lower-income multifamily residences.
Policy Strategies to Promote Equitable EV Charging Access for Multifamily Housing Residents (CLEE, 2024): The lack of electric vehicle charging at multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) limits the ability of their residents – particularly in lower-income and dense urban communities – to access the health and financial benefits of this clean technology. Our report, informed by interviews with program officials and multifamily residential charging experts, draws insights from city programs and existing case studies to identify equity-oriented solutions to key MUD charging barriers.
Electric Vehicles Building Codes Toolkit: A Guide for Adopting Equitable US Codes (EV Charging for All Coalition, 2024): A toolkit intended to inform EV advocates’ and policymakers’ efforts to adopt equitable EV readiness building codes. Includes best practices for conceptualizing EV code policy and model code language, among other resources.
NMHC and Grace Hill Renter Preferences Survey Report (National Multifamily Housing Council, 2024): Provides an analysis of renter preferences and willingness to pay for home features and community amenities. Consolidates input from over 172,000 renters across many communities and markets regarding renting considerations such as amenities, technology and connectivity needs, and pricing expectations, among others.
Multi-Unit Dwelling Plug-in EV Charging Innovation Pilots (Center for Sustainable Energy, 2023): This report documents processes and findings from a three-year project to identify barriers and solutions to EV charging in MUDs then convert findings into an accessible toolkit. The toolkit includes various features and informational provisions to help MUD stakeholders navigate their EV charging installations – including survey templates, installation and operation expenses, case study analyses, and a list of certified EV charging installers, among other resources.
Do Electric Vehicle Charger Locations Respond to Potential Charging Demands From Multi-Unit Dwellings? Evidence From Los Angeles County (Transport Policy, 2023): This study estimates the correlation between MUD density and public Level 2 chargers in LA county. Findings indicate that “insufficient public Level 2 chargers [exist] for the use of MUD EV owners,” substantiating the need for charging expansion in and around MUDs.
California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24 (State of California, 2022): California’s 2022 building code requires that new residential building features “facilitate future installation and use of EV chargers.” The legislation states that ten percent of total parking spaces must be electric vehicle charging spaces with Level 2 EVSE charging capability.
EV Charging in Multi-Family Dwellings (Atlas Public Policy, 2021): This report summarizes key motives and obstacles for EV charging installations in Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUDs) and provides recommendations intended to inform effective MUD incentive programs. Recommendations include: require/encourage L2 chargers instead of L1; require/encourage equipment that can separately meter charging load, collect and share data, and administer fees; include an education and outreach component.
Evidence of a Homeowner-Renter Gap for Electric Vehicles (UC Berkeley, 2019): This report identifies significantly greater electric vehicle use among homeowners, relative to renters. The authors discuss policy implications and possible causes of this disparity, including EVSE barriers in multi-unit buildings.
Case Studies: City Public & Curbside EV Charging Strategies (CLEE, 2024): Our case study report, informed by interviews with city leaders and EV charging project directors, gathers insights from city programs that are leading efforts to expand charging infrastructure in curbside and public right-of-way (PROW) locations.
Charging Toward Justice: How States Can Lead on Racial and Economic Equity Through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program (Atlas Public Policy, 2023): This report discusses how to use NEVI funds equitably by examining NEVI plans across 27 states “through two lenses” – 1) analysis of states’ NEVI plan development processes, 2) analysis of approved state plans using equity indicators. The report identifies best practices for planning and engagement strategies with intent to inform states’ annually-submitted NEVI plans (through 2026), which must now include a “community engagement outcomes report.”
Public Charging Choices of Electric Vehicle Users: A Review and Conceptual Framework (Transport and Environment, 2023): A comprehensive review/synthesis of existing literature that evaluates public charging choices and preferences. The review seeks to identify which factors “entice existing and potential users to charge their EVs at public locations” and inform policy-makers, vehicle manufacturers and charging providers accordingly. The analysis spans four categories of public charging determinants: 1) temporal, 2) vehicle, 3) charging infrastructure, and 4) individual attributes.
Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station Utilization in the United States (Transport and Environment, 2023): This report evaluates the “relationship between [charging] station utilization and several contextual and environmental factors.” The study links EV adoption to EVSE utilization among other findings, using updated utilization statistics and analysis for the U.S. market.
Public Electric Vehicle Charger Access Disparities Across Race and Income in California (Transport Policy, 2021): Analysis of public EV charging access disparities in California based on race and income, finding charger access gap in multi-unit dwellings and Black and Hispanic majority-neighborhoods have lower access to public EV chargers.
Public charging infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles: What is it worth? (Transport and Environment, 2020): Study estimates the consumer value of charging infrastructure by quantifying their “ability to displace gasoline use for PHEVs and to enable additional electric vehicle miles for BEVs.” Yields estimates of $1500 for intraregional travel public fast chargers and $6500 for fast chargers along intercity routes (drawing from California’s 2017 public network)
The Sharing Economy is Not Always Greener: A Review and Consolidation of Empirical Evidence, (Environmental Research Letters, 2023): This study presents a meta-analysis of existing research on the sharing economy’s environmental outcomes. Results indicate that “sharing is not inherently better from an environmental perspective” – with shared scooters and ride-hailing mobility “particularly prone to negative environmental outcomes.” The study asserts the need to consider system level effects, platform operations and consumer behavior when evaluating the sharing economy’s environmental sustainability.
Net Sustainability Impact of Shared Micromobility in Six Global Cities, (Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, 2022): This study evaluates the transportation mode shift effects of shared micromobility options (i.e., e-scooters and e-bikes) to determine whether these devices result in the net reduction of carbon emissions. Assessing data across six international cities (including Berlin, Paris and Seattle), the study identifies four primary alternative transportation modes that share mobility replaces: walking, public transit, ridehailing, and private vehicles. The data indicate a net decrease in transportation emissions resulting from these “shift effects,” and the study proposes actions to further decarbonize and enhance shared micromobility.
What Travel Modes do Shared E-Scooters Displace? A Review of Recent Research Findings, (Transport Reviews, 2021): This study reviews empirical data regarding modal shifts and the use of e-scooters in the US and abroad. The findings indicate that “people use shared e-scooters in place of cars at substantial rates” – suggesting that “in many locations e-scooters may be a good strategy for reducing car dependence.” While highlighting e-scooters’ existing capacity to induce mode shift away from passenger vehicles, the study asserts that more measurements and policy actions are needed to secure and understand the growth and sustainability of e-scooters’ full modal integration.
Are Shared Vehicles Shared by All? A Review of Equity and Vehicle Sharing (Journal of Planning Literature, 2020): This study reviews research that evaluates the demographic characteristics of vehicle sharing users. (Vehicle share services include bikeshare, carshare, and e-scooters.) The study identifies utilization disparities along race/ethnicity, income and employment indicators, among others; utilization tends to skew away from lower-income, minority populations. Physical proximity to vehicle share services only accounts for part of the disparities. The study then highlights various programs and policies that can address inequities in vehicle sharing – including targeted service provisions, reduced fees for low-income users, and official equity statements to guide policy actions, among others.
Selected Media
The Towards Equitable Electric Mobility (TEEM) Michigan cohort developed a video series featuring community members’ own stories answering the question “what is equitable electric mobility?” In the videos, speakers from diverse areas around the state discuss their own visions for the transportation electrification transition and how strategies to promote electric vehicles, charging, shared mobility, and more can secure an equitable mobility future:
- Bella from Ann Arbor on why EVs are a climate and health solution
- Patty from Detroit on how EV car-share is part of a complete mobility network
- Cathy from Ann Arbor on why equitable access to charging is a mobility need
- Craig from Grandville on why e-mobility is key to economic opportunity
- Juan from Highland Park on how local EV shuttle networks can close mobility gaps
- Linda from Ann Arbor on how e-bikes can enhance access to local resources
- Shelton from Grand Rapids on how EV car-share can promote access and affordability
CalMatters, a nonprofit newsroom focused on California government and policy, produced a 13-part reporting series on the challenges and opportunities of the state’s EV transition. Articles focus on affordability, charging deserts, the future for auto mechanics, truck electrification, and more, with perspectives from a range of communities throughout the state.