Lower-income households often lack the resources to buy electric cars, signaling a need for a more holistic approach to improving mobility and lowering transportation costs.
A new report from the Transportation Energy Institute suggests that an equitable approach to transportation must include more than just a shift to electric cars. “The report also notes that lower-income communities often face multiple transportation-related environmental issues, such as proximity to highways and industrial pollution.”
As Dan Zukowski explains in Smart Cities Dive, “Access to electric vehicle charging equipment and the high cost of EVs limits low-income households’ ability to take advantage of these lower-emission vehicles, the paper says, and many depend on conventionally fueled vehicles.” Thus, lower-income communities need investment in public transit and other mobility options that can reduce their transportation costs and offer more sustainable options.
“Direct, meaningful engagement with such communities enables residents to have a say in the transportation policies and projects that could address their specific needs, [the report] says.” The report provides a set of questions that policymakers can use to better understand their communities’ needs and bridge gaps in access to transportation.
FULL STORY: Are EVs the best approach to transportation equity? Maybe not, TEI report says
Report Highlights Economic Benefits of Reducing Car Dependence
Encouraging Americans to drive less — and supporting cities where it’s possible to do so — could save the country trillions more than just electrifying the transportation sector.
Norway’s EV Boom Could Entrench Car Dependency
The Scandinavian country is a pioneer when it comes to EV adoption, but there are downsides.
Study: EV Adoption Isn't Enough. Car-Centric Culture Needs To Change.
The focus on electrifying personal vehicles misses the opportunity to transform urban transportation systems, reduce congestion, and make cities more affordable.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.
Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.
Can Progressive Planners Appeal to Conservative Principles?
Trump’s approach to policies like NYC’s congestion pricing isn’t just irrational and wasteful — it defies the tenets of conservatism. But there are ways to reframe the issues.
Oak Park Plans Earth Month Events
Join Oak Park, Illinois, for a series of Earth Month events highlighting the importance of community engagement and education, integrating sustainability into local plans, and planning for the most vulnerable, such as birds, bees and butterflies.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Florida Atlantic University
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland