In July 2021, the Great Plains Institute and EVHybridNoire hosted Drive the Future: Debrief Session, a follow-up to a prior event on best practices for equitable transportation electrification in the Midcontinent.
The first event included an expert panel on equity in transportation electrification in the Midcontinent, followed by breakout discussions. The Debrief Session explored specific equity programs around the nation in the sectors of charging infrastructure, workforce development, education and outreach, climate justice and public health, and utility programs.
Through live polling and breakout rooms, Debrief Session participants discussed strategies to implement their equity programs, their ideas of success, and the resources still needed to help develop equity programs.
Here are the top seven takeaways from the discussion:
- Community engagement is key. It is important to work with communities to ensure their transportation needs are met, whether it is siting charging infrastructure in key places to the community or by providing multiple electrified transit or rideshare options.
- Building relationships across state agencies, counties, cities, utilities, NGOs, equity organizations, and community organizations can help expand transportation electrification in a way that is still grounded in the community’s needs. When programs are introduced to Black, Indigenous, and people of color and low-income communities, the messenger matters—cross-organization relationships can ensure a trusted source.
- Electric vehicle messaging and education should be culturally and community informed and acknowledge “green gentrification” as a valid concern.
- Rebates and incentives should include income considerations and apply to used vehicles and fleet and rideshare vehicles.
- Rideshare and carshare programs can help boost adoption until electric vehicles are more affordable and can provide a transportation option in communities with few mobility options.
- Multi-unit dwelling electrification depends on the presence of incentives and relationships between utilities, housing providers, and the community.
- More funding sources and cross-sector relationships are needed to ensure a successful, equitable transition to transportation electrification.
Deploying transportation electrification equitably is a high priority for the Great Plains Institute. Stay tuned for future communications that share how we’re incorporating our learnings into our work.
