Electric Vehicles and Environmental Justice

Every day, cars and trucks transport billions of people and goods across various parts of the world, including industrial, rural, and urban areas. However, the increased use of cars and trucks over time has contributed to diminishing air quality and exacerbated climate change. Vehicle tailpipe emissions have a long history of contributing to public health burdens and extreme weather, particularly for disadvantaged communities living near goods-corridors and high-traffic areas. The potential public health and climate benefits of reducing vehicle tailpipe emissions are significant, leading environmental justice (EJ) advocacy groups to consider policies that lower transportation emissions through zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The widespread adoption of ZEVs can provide solutions for public health, climate change, energy, and mobility issues. However, there are still current issues regarding availability and accessibility, particularly for low-income, rural, and disadvantaged communities. Overcoming barriers to widespread ZEV adoption is crucial to achieving equity worldwide.

Recently, ICF completed a research report on behalf of the International ZEV Alliance to highlight the existing disparities in ZEV ownership, quantify the environmental justice (EJ) benefits of ZEVs, and provide policy and program recommendations that various government agencies can implement to enhance the outcomes of ZEV policies. Our team used publicly available electric vehicle (EV) registration and socio-demographic data to evaluate ZEV ownership disparity in three markets: California, Michigan, and England. The research outcomes include ZEV and sociodemographic distribution maps that illustrate differences across these markets. Each market's vehicle population by technology is summarized in Table 1.

These three regions demonstrate a wide range of ZEV market maturity, racial and ethnic diversity, economic and educational levels, and policies supporting ZEVs. Our research explored the potential drivers for these disparities, focusing on EJ indicators such as income, percent of people of color (POC) populations, and education levels. We found that many of the disparities in these markets can be attributed to inequities related to income and education levels. Regions with relatively high median incomes and education attainment levels, such as Los Angeles, CA, Detroit, MI, and Greater Manchester in England, are much more likely to have high ZEV ownership rates compared to others. Additionally, we examined the relationship between ZEV ownership and percent POC populations and did not find that regional diversity significantly influenced ZEV ownership rates. Qualitatively, this suggests that awareness and uptake of ZEVs in racially and ethnically diverse regions is increasing. However, some areas in these markets would benefit from better outreach and support systems to reduce barriers to ZEV adoption

Role of Policies in Enhancing Environmental Justice

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the obstacles facing the adoption of ZEVs, particularly among marginalized communities, we carried out interviews with 15 EJ experts and 24 organizations focused on EJ. The objective of this outreach was to seek insights from both areas and EJ specialists, with the aim of formulating policy proposals that government agencies can employ to tackle these disparities. Presented below are some of the main impediments to ZEV adoption in underserved communities, as well as potential policy solutions to mitigate these challenges.

Affordability

Based on our analysis and consultation with EJ stakeholders, it appears that lower-income areas are still facing significant hurdles in accessing ZEVs due to their high upfront costs. In the first quarter of 2022, the average price of a new ZEV sold in California, a well-established ZEV market, was nearly $13,000 more than the average price of a new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sold in 2021. While equity and EJ programs in the form of grants and incentives exist, providing immediate financial aid for ZEV purchases, there is room for improvement in these programs. Governments at the federal, state, and local levels must allocate incentives specifically for disadvantaged communities and streamline the application process to help bridge the gap in ZEV equity for eligible groups.

Access to Charging Infrastructure

In a study carried out by Hsu and Fingerman (2021) analyzing the California market, it was found that block groups with below-median household incomes and a high percentage of Black and Hispanic populations have limited access to public chargers. Despite this, environmental justice (EJ) experts caution that deploying chargers without considering community input may lead to gentrification or displacement in disadvantaged communities. To address this issue, government agencies in North America and Europe are adopting a multifaceted approach that utilizes sociodemographic and travel data alongside direct feedback from communities. This approach aims to facilitate the deployment of charging infrastructure that provides equitable access to at-residence charging.

Availability of Mobility Options

It's worth noting that car ownership is not a priority for everyone! A significant number of individuals in North America and Europe would prefer alternative means of transportation, such as public transit, e-bikes/scooters, and other options. However, the availability of public transit networks and alternative mobility options varies widely across different regions, particularly in rural areas where personal vehicles remain the primary mode of transportation. EJ advocates suggested that personal ZEVs should not be viewed as the only preferred mobility option for people. To promote sustainable transportation and reduce emissions from the transportation sector, policymakers should focus on expanding access to a variety of sustainable mobility alternatives.

This project has brought to light the importance of prioritizing justice for marginalized communities by tackling the inequalities in air quality and promoting community access to sustainable investments. In the age of transportation electrification, it is crucial for federal, state, and local agencies to prioritize the voices and needs of their constituents. The findings of this research provide an up-to-date understanding of the factors that influence ZEV ownership and can guide policymakers in their efforts to support those most affected. We cannot afford to overlook the needs of disadvantaged communities as we move towards a greener future, and this research underscores the urgency of addressing environmental justice concerns.

If you are interested to learn more about this project, check out the final report published on International ZEV Alliance Website.