California Air Resources Board

Welcome and Opening Remarks, Annalisa Schilla, Assistant Division Chief, Sustainable Transportation and Communities Division, California Air Resources Board (CARB)

The meeting began with a welcome to both returning and new members, emphasizing the Task Force's mission of increasing access to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and mobility in historically underserved communities.

The remarks highlighted the challenges posed by federal policy shifts, including attacks on environmental justice and equity programs. These challenges underscore the importance of California’s leadership in clean transportation policies and programs that support an equitable transition to ZEVs.

Key updates since the last full Task Force meeting in November 2024 included:

• Monthly Workgroup Meetings: Held in partnership with Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the California Energy Commission (CEC), providing ongoing collaboration opportunities.  Meeting notes can be found on the ZEV Equity Task Force web page.
• ZEV Training Catalog Development: A new initiative aimed at connecting people with training programs for careers in the ZEV space. Register for the April 3 workgroup meeting to help develop this catalog. Register Now!
• Community Mobility Program Connections Directory Expansion: Continued collaboration with automakers and organizations to add more vehicles and car share programs.
• ZEV Equity Action Plan: GO-Biz is refining its definition of ZEV Equity and developing an action plan, with updates to come in a future workgroup meeting.
• Upcoming Community Tour: Planning a tour focusing on ZEV transportation and infrastructure in tribal and rural communities.  Additional information will be provided soon.
• UC Davis Research Findings: UC Davis completed a study in late 2024 exploring mobility needs in priority populations and how ZEVs can meet those needs cost-effectively, with findings to be shared in the panel discussion.

The Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to centering equity in the ZEV transition, ensuring progress continues despite federal challenges.

II.  Electrify America’s Cycle 4 Outreach and Education Investments, Misti Murphy, Director of Marketing, Communications, & Corporate Social Responsibility, Electrify America

• Press release for Cycle 4 Outreach and Education Investments
• Request for Proposals (RFP): Over 100 vendors were invited to submit proposals in October 2024.
• Funding Allocation:
  • $3 million from Electrify America was allocated for ZEV education and infrastructure deployment.
    • $500,000 of this amount is designated for the Task Force’s initiatives that came out of the Outreach and Education Workgroup.
  • $2 million awarded for STEM and workforce development, supporting ZEV-related career opportunities.
• Task Force Projects: White Papers on ZEV Equity Strategies
  • Valley Clean Air Now will produce a white paper on improving equitable access to the ZEV market for low-income and disadvantaged communities.
  • Ecology Action will develop a white paper focusing on a standardized process for training and resources for incentive program administrators.
• Timeline for Task Force Projects:
  • Draft white paper outlines will be presented to the Task Force in Q4 2025.
  • Final white papers will be published and amplified via Electrify America’s outreach channels in Q3 2026.

III. Overview of Upcoming Tribal Tour and Research Findings on the Barriers to EV Uptake in Tribal and Rural Communities, Jill Sherman-Warne, Executive Director, Native American Environmental Protection Coalition

Overview of Tribal EV Challenges:

• San Diego County has the highest number of tribal reservations in the U.S., with 19 reservations and 18 tribes.
• Many tribal communities lack charging infrastructure, making EV adoption difficult.
• Public transportation in tribal areas is often unreliable and impractical for daily commutes.
• Power outages, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), further complicate electrification efforts.

Tribal Engagement & Research Findings:

• The Native American Environmental Protection Coalition (NAEPC) has conducted over 500 surveys, confirming strong tribal interest in EVs but highlighting barriers such as inadequate infrastructure and financing options.
• Many tribal members own trucks due to poor road conditions, complicating EV adoption.
• Car-sharing programs and turnkey EV solutions could provide viable alternatives for tribal communities.

Upcoming Tribal Tour:

• The Task Force will visit tribal communities in eastern San Diego County in June 2025 to better understand infrastructure needs.
• The tour is open to all Task Force members, and details will be provided when finalized.

IV. Increasing the Impact of Clean Transportation through Targeted Outreach, Education & Awareness Campaigns

Facilitator: Lisa Chiladakis, Air Pollution Specialist, CARB

Panelists:

• Scott Hardman, Assistant Director, Electric Vehicle Research Center, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis
• Shante Walker, Founder and Executive Director, The Niles Foundation
• Jill Sherman-Warne, Executive Director, Native American Environmental Protection Coalition
• Margaret Mohr, Communications Director, Veloz
• Danny Ordaz, Program Manager, Ecology Action

UC Davis Research Presentation: Mobility Needs and ZEV Adoption in Underserved Communities:

Scott Hardman presented findings from their recent study on mobility needs in priority populations. The study, which included listening sessions and surveys, examined how ZEVs can cost-effectively meet transportation needs in these communities.

Key Findings:

• Lack of Awareness
  • Negative perceptions of ZEVs are still prevalent in underserved communities but as knowledge of ZEVs increases, perceptions about some barriers—such as driving range—improve.
• Affordability and Incentives
  • Many residents are unaware of available EV purchase incentives and subsidies.
  • High upfront costs remain a major barrier, even with incentives.
• Charging Infrastructure Gaps
  • Multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) lack home charging options, making EV ownership challenging.
  • Public charging stations are often inaccessible or located in unsafe areas.
• Mobility Patterns
  • Many participants rely on public transit, car-sharing, or ride-sharing rather than personal vehicles.
  • Rural and tribal residents face longer travel distances, making range and charging access critical.

Policy Recommendations:

• Increase Community-Based Outreach
  • Expand trusted messenger programs to better communicate available incentives and programs.
  • Implement in-person workshops and test-drive events to increase comfort with EV technology.
• Access to Home and Workplace Charging is Critical
  • Continue and expand programs that offer incentives, funding, or install charging at people’s homes and workplaces
• Expand Public Charging Infrastructure
  • Invest in reliable and accessible charging stations, particularly in rural and low-income areas.
  • Create on-site charging solutions for MUDs and workplaces.
• Develop Alternative Mobility Solutions
  • Expand EV car-sharing and e-bike programs to serve residents who don’t own vehicles.
  • Increase investment in public transit electrification.
• Ensure Equity in Incentives
  • Simplify application processes for Clean Cars for All and other programs.
  • Offer income-based rebates to ensure ZEVs are affordable for lower-income households.

Panel Discussion: Challenges and Strategies for EV Adoption in Underserved Communities:

• Margaret from Veloz, a national, nonpartisan nonprofit focused on accelerating ZEV adoption, provided an overview of the organization’s work.
  • Their ElectricForAll.org website serves as a central EV education and incentive resource, particularly benefiting underserved communities.
  • In September, they expanded beyond California to all 50 states, including a focus on Biden-Harris Justice40 communities.
  • Margaret highlighted findings from recent Veloz national polling research on public attitudes toward EVs.
• Margaret talked about focusing on audience-first messaging rather than simply choosing marketing channels.
• Use of localized approaches by targeting communities based on CalEnviroScreen ZIP codes.
• Providing toolkits to local partners so that community organizations can tailor messaging.
• Addressing specific barriers faced by priority populations, including language access, affordability concerns, and charging misconceptions.

Shante Walker of The Niles Foundation, a Los Angeles-based community nonprofit, shared insights from their work on environmental justice and clean transportation.

• Their EVClean15 project focuses on:
  • Providing clean, affordable community transportation through electric vehicles.
  • Conducting needs assessments and surveys to understand barriers to EV adoption.
  • Delivering EV education and outreach in low-income and BIPOC communities.

• The Niles Foundation’s community EV transit program serves nearly 200,000 residents but lacks sufficient vehicles, charging infrastructure, and workforce development support.
• Many residents don’t even know what “EV” stands for, signaling a need for basic education.
• Affordability concerns remain the top barrier.
• Lack of charging access in apartment complexes is a significant issue.
• However, 50% of surveyed community members expressed interest in purchasing an EV—demonstrating that better education and infrastructure could drive higher adoption.

Shante identified key resources that would improve their outreach efforts:

• Funding and in-kind donations for community EVs and EV fleets.
• Hands-on training and workshops on vehicle purchasing, maintenance, and charging.
• Portable charging solutions for apartment residents.
• Stronger partnerships with aligned organizations to support local EV education and infrastructure development.

Jill shared research on effective EV outreach strategies for tribal and rural communities:

• Trusted messengers are key—people respond best to community members they know.
• Agencies must build relationships over time, not just engage when they need community input.
• Culturally relevant messaging and materials improve engagement.
• Substandard housing is a major barrier—many tribal homes lack safe electrical infrastructure for EV charging.
• EV education must include real-world guidance, such as assessing whether homes can support EV charging safely.
• Infrastructure reliability is a challenge—charging stations in rural areas are often nonfunctional, further discouraging EV adoption.
  • Agencies need to ensure infrastructure investments are reliable and well-maintained.
• Incentive programs require intensive case management—many applicants rely on community organizations for support rather than government agencies.

Danny Ordaz from Ecology Action highlighted key concerns from their EVs for Everyone outreach program:

• Lack of awareness: Many consumers only associate EVs with Tesla and are unaware of other models.
• Seasonal workers face challenges: Many farm workers and temporary employees are reluctant to invest in EVs due to uncertain residency and limited access to charging when traveling.
• Concerns about EV repairs: Many consumers worry about where to get EVs serviced and the cost of battery replacement.
• Mistrust of dealerships: Many low-income residents have never purchased a new car from a dealership, making the EV buying process intimidating.
• Peer-to-peer influence is critical: Seeing neighbors and family members drive EVs builds confidence.

Scott, emphasized the need for word-of-mouth outreach:

• Digital ads and social media alone won’t reach disengaged populations.
• EV ambassadors and peer influence play a major role in adoption.
• Automakers could offer incentives for EV owners to share their experiences (e.g., free charging credits for referrals).

Key outreach strategies identified by panelists:

• Building long-term relationships with communities, rather than one-time outreach.
• Providing hands-on EV experiences, such as ride-and-drives and real-world charging demonstrations.
• Working with trusted community leaders, rather than relying on outside organizations.
• Increasing partnerships with city officials, utilities, and schools to amplify outreach.

Lightning Round: In one sentence, what’s the most impactful action California can take right now to accelerate EV adoption in underserved communities?

• Margaret: Advocated for increased funding for education programs to raise awareness about EVs.
• Danny: Stressed the importance of continued funding for education programs. He said there is a lot of interest and a lot of need, but people just don’t know about their options.
• Shante: Called for a streamlined EV buying portal tailored for low-income residents that will make the buying process easy and to reduce voucher discrimination.
• Jill: Highlighted the need for better education, infrastructure, and equitable incentive programs. Jill said we need to meet people where they are, and we need more equity in the incentive programs by streamlining the application process. 
• Scott: Emphasized the importance of sustained support for new ZEV sales through programs like ACC II, noting that a robust new ZEV market will naturally strengthen the used ZEV market, ultimately increasing accessibility and affordability for more drivers.

Q&A Session: Participant Questions and Panel Responses:

• Participants asked about performance indicators used to measure program effectiveness.
  • Jill and Shante emphasized community engagement through live demonstrations and workshops.
  • Margaret mentioned tracking digital engagement that can be adjusted based on what is drawing more people to engage.
  • Danny highlighted tracking event engagement and survey feedback to assess success.
  • The panelists discussed optimizing the Access Clean California website and streamlining incentive processes.
• Participants asked about Access Clean CA:
  • Jill noted barriers such as limited internet access, lack of devices, and unreliable electricity.
  • Panelists highlighted the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in effectively reaching underserved populations.
  • A panelist stressed the importance of stronger partnerships between large organizations and local CBOs to ensure widespread information dissemination.
  • Jill suggested developing a paper application process for those without internet access and Shante shared their organization’s practice of using paper surveys for seniors and emphasized the value of community profiles to assess needs and resources.

The panel discussion concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration and engagement in upcoming workgroup meetings and initiatives.

VI. Next Steps

• CARB staff will send out a meeting summary with relevant links in the next week.
• The next workgroup meeting will be from 10-11 a.m. on April 3.  The meeting will focus on developing a ZEV Training Catalog.  Please register to join the meeting and help develop the catalog
• Details about the tribal tour in Eastern San Diego County will be provided soon.

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