California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: Giovanni Circella

Contractor: University of California, Davis

Contract Number: 21STC013

Project Status: Active

Relevant CARB Programs: Clean Miles Standard

Topic Areas: Environmental Justice, Light-Duty Vehicles, Sustainable Communities, Clean Miles Standard, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Reduction & Climate Goals, Zero-Emission Transportation, Going Zero

Research Summary:

The Clean Miles Standard was approved by the California Air Resources Board in 2021. The Clean Miles Standard sets zero-emission mile and greenhouse gas targets for ride-hailing companies. Ride-hailing companies include those like Uber and Lyft. This research project will help assess the impacts of the Clean Miles Standard on California ride-hailing drivers. The project will also study factors that impact uptake of zero-emission vehicles by drivers.

Researchers will conduct two surveys of ride-hailing drivers in California. The surveys will collect data on driver demographics, vehicles used, driving behavior, and attitudes toward zero-emission vehicles. The first survey will be sent in 2023 before Clean Miles Standard implementation. The second survey will be sent during the first year of implementation.

This research will provide information that will be used to support the Clean Miles Standard program and related policies on clean transportation. The research will also help evaluate the equity and environmental impacts of these policies.

Keywords: zero-emissions transportation; California ride-hailing services; ride-hailing driver; Clean Miles Standard (CMS); equity; transportation trends; greenhouse gas emissions; climate change; clean technology; behavioral economics; light-duty vehicle; zero-emission vehicle (ZEV); transportation; vehicle miles traveled (VMT); low carbon transportation; greenhouse gas reduction strategies; disadvantaged communities; priority communities; transportation equity; low carbon transportation