California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: Giovanni Circella

Contractor: University of California, Davis

Contract number: 25RD006

Project Status: Active

Relevant CARB programs: Driving Clean Assistance Program, Access Clean California, Clean Mobility Options

Topic areas: Environmental Justice, Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), Light-Duty Vehicles   

Research Summary:

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) uses surveys to help guide programs that support cleaner vehicle choices, especially in communities most affected by pollution. State law requires that climate funding benefit these communities. Thousands of Californians have shared their preferences through surveys. This project will make sure those results are accurate and useful.

First, it will compare what people say in surveys with what they actually do, using vehicle registration data and other sources. This helps show how well survey responses reflect real decisions. Second, it will look at who is taking the surveys and whether they represent California’s diverse communities. The goal is to improve how CARB uses survey results to make decisions. It will also help design better, clearer surveys in the future so they reflect the experiences of all Californians.

Keywords: light-duty vehicle, environmental justice, reducing disparities, priority communities, zero-emission vehicle, racial/ethnic groups, transportation