LCTI: Valley Air ZEV Mobility Pilot Project
Clean Mobility Options Legacy Pilot Project
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District | Valley Air ZEV Mobility Pilot Project
May 2018 – January 2022
Project Details
Valley Air ZEV Mobility Pilot Project (ZEV Mobility Project) supports the transformative implementation of advanced clean carsharing and mobility options in local disadvantaged communities. Funding for the ZEV Mobility Project helped develop EVSE infrastructure in the San Joaquin Valley, offering participants residing in targeted disadvantaged communities a combined electric vehicle carsharing service. The project enables participants to obtain affordable access to EVs without the burden of vehicle ownership.
Project Highlights
- Ride hailing service consisted of volunteer drivers who provide non-driving residents access to medical facilities, stores, community events, and other essential services.
- California-licensed drivers register for the program online or over the phone.
- Members have low-cost access to electric vehicles, to rent by the hour or day.
Lessons Learned
- Key challenges in securing a host site include obtaining a county building permit in the allotted timeframe and selecting a location that can provide public access with a viable power system.
- Poor internet connection in remote communities like Cantua Creek affects easy access to the mobile app reservation system.
- An e-bike sharing system was not a feasible option to implement with companies and within the grant term timeline.
- COVID-19 has posed many challenges, including the need to provide safe social distancing measures in vehicles, disinfecting vehicles between rentals, reduced demand for rideshare in Cantua Creek and Delhi, and no demand for vanpooling to college campuses including California State University, Bakersfield as originally anticipated.
Funding Details
Grant Amount: $749,800
Resource Contributions: $1,160,300
Project Total: $1,910,100
By the Numbers
Services, Vehicles & Equipment Funded
- 9 Electric vehicles, including 3 Tesla Model X's and 6 Chevy Bolts
- 30 Charging stations total
- 6 Level II charging stations in Cantua Creek
- 2 DCFC/Level III charging stations and 2 Level II charging stations in Delhi
- 2 DCFC/Level III charging stations and 18 Level II charging stations in Atwater
- 2 Transportation surveys
- Over 60 active members
- Over 1,650 electric vehicle trips
- Over 30 community events
Estimated Quantifiable Benefits
Values coming soon
- GHG emission reductions:
- NOx reductions:
- PM2.5 reductions:
- ROG reductions:
- Passenger VMT reductions:
- Travel cost savings:
- Transportation fossil fuel reductions:
- Direct Jobs:
- Indirect Jobs:
- Induced Jobs:
Community Details
The ZEV Mobility Project focuses on census tracts that are within the top 19% of disadvantaged communities. Cantua Creek, where the project’s first deployment of electric vehicles and electric charging stations were made available, is a distinctly rural community with less than 500 residents. This location is currently not serviced by transit, which impacts those who are not able to drive and those that need access to transportation for medical appointments and other essential trips. The second location is in Delhi, which is a census tract of approximately 10,000 residents clustered off Highway 99. The site is nearby markets, residential homes, and a school, making it accessible to local residents. Many of the participants at both locations rely on volunteer drivers and Spanish translations. The additional charging stations installed at separate parking lots of Castle Airport in Atwater is centrally located for easy access to various businesses within the disadvantaged community.
Community Benefits
The ZEV Mobility Project goals are to expand access to EVs in disadvantaged communities, increase EVSE infrastructure in disadvantaged communities, reduce emissions through the adoption of EVs and increased mobility options and ridesharing, and provide an affordable alternative to vehicle ownership. The project introduced electric vehicles and the practical advantages of ridesharing at discounted rates to individuals and households in disadvantaged communities. Local communities benefit from choosing cleaner alternative transportation and have access to volunteers that will drive them to essential services.
Outreach & Engagement Strategies
- Surveys
- Community meetings
- Door-to-door outreach
- Postcards
Target Populations
- Low-income
- Disadvantaged communities
- People of color
- Residents without access to a vehicle
- Non-English speakers
- Older adults
- Students
- Shift workers
Partnership Structure
Grantee
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (District) is a public health agency whose mission is to improve the health and quality of life for all Valley residents through efficient, effective and entrepreneurial air quality management strategies. The District is responsible for the overall program administration of this project and its role includes overseeing and approving all activities, reviewing and submitting reports and fund disbursements, and supporting outreach efforts.