08/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/29/2024 13:18
This working paper examines how investments in electric vehicle charging stations could reduce-or exacerbate-societal inequalities.
Date
Aug. 28, 2024
Authors
Publication
Working PaperReading time
1 minuteMajor investments in electric vehicle (EV) charging station networks will be required to support widespread adoption of EVs. Increasing EV adoption can help improve air quality and, in turn, health outcomes, particularly for communities overburdened by transportation pollution. The creation of a widespread public EV charging station network presents new economic and business opportunities. Thus, an opportunity exists for society to leverage expenditures associated with the electric transition, particularly federal infrastructure investments through programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to improve equity outcomes for communities and households that have been overburdened by transportation pollution due to compounding inequities and structural racism across society. We provide a framework (developed through a literature review and interviews with community-based and non-governmental organizations, EV charging station companies, utilities, and leading researchers) for understanding how charging station investments in urban areas could help reduce existing inequities or may inadvertently exacerbate inequities if a careful approach is not taken.
Fellow; Director, Environmental Justice Initiative
Suzanne Russo is a fellow and director of the Environmental Justice Initiative at RFF.
Policy Leadership Series - Oct 8, 2024
The Future of Environmental and Energy Justice: A Policy Leadership Series Event with Shalanda Baker
The Future of Environmental and Energy Justice: A Policy Leadership Series Event with Shalanda Baker