California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: Scott Hardman and Jesus Barajas

Contractor: University of California, Davis

Sub-contractors: Greenlining Institute, Self-Help Enterprises and Transform

Contract Number: 21STC017

Project Status: Active

Relevant CARB Programs: Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Cars II, Accessible Clean Transportation Options SB 350, Clean Cars 4 All, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, Financing Assistance for Lower-Income Consumers Program, Zero-Emission Vehicle Program

Topic Areas: Light-Duty Vehicles, Advanced Technology & Low Carbon Transit, Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), Environmental Justice, Community Health, Racial Equity, Sustainable Communities, Research & Sustainable Communities, California Climate Investments, Land Use & Transportation Research, Transit

Research Summary:

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) creates and implements regulations and other policies designed to increase zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales in California. CARB also administers programs intended to reduce the number of miles people drive to reduce pollution from transportation. The objective of this research is to increase CARB’s understanding of the transportation needs of underserved communities and how ZEVs can cost-effectively meet these needs.  It will also look at how CARB can refine existing programs or develop new ones to benefit these communities. Finally, this research project will inform us on how additional policies can address available housing stock and infrastructure that, if not addressed, can limit how ZEVs can work for these communities. 

Keywords: zero-emission vehicle (ZEV); environmental justice; transportation equity; increasing access to ZEVs in underserved communities; disadvantaged communities; priority communities; sustainable communities and health; transportation trends; climate change; clean technology; behavioral economics; light-duty vehicle; transportation and land use; vehicle miles traveled (VMT); low carbon transportation