Motivated largely by concerns over global greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector is focusing increasingly on a transition to zero-emissions vehicles. For this transition to be successful, not only from a climate but also from an equity perspective, specific consideration of low- to moderate-income (LMI) communities is critical.

Residents in these communities often are affected disproportionately by poor air quality, health issues, and lack of quality access to transportation, and therefore stand to benefit the most from reductions in tailpipe emissions. However, these residents are also less likely to benefit from personal EVs because of the current cost premium of these options, as well as challenges accessing charging infrastructure.

Electric Mobility for All is a feasibility study built to identify solutions that will share the benefits of transportation electrification with a broader range of Connecticut’s residents. For this study, the authors developed models of how these solutions could be designed, funded, and implemented, with findings that are useful in Connecticut and more broadly for other jurisdictions aiming to explore innovative electric mobility programs for their residents. This report summarizes RMI’s process, key learnings, and recommendations on how electric utilities and other stakeholders in Connecticut and other states can best support the development of equitable electric mobility programs.

The exhibit above describes many of the critical components of developing electric mobility programs that successfully center equity and improve transportation options. Electric utilities in particular have a critical role to play in supporting these programs, and the report recommends a number of mechanisms through which they can do so, as summarized in the table below.