Expanding the Zero-Emission Vehicle Market
Equity in Every Decision is the first principle in California’s ZEV Market Development Strategy. This principle aims to ensure that all Californians, including communities suffering most from a combination of economic, health, and environmental burdens, have access to increased zero-emission mobility options, job opportunities, and cleaner air.
A robust ZEV market not only advances California’s environmental goals but also drives economic growth and creates good-paying jobs. According to the California Jobs First State Economic Blueprint, six of California’s thirteen regions identified ZEVs as a priority growth sector over the coming years.
ZEV Equity Action Plan
As directed by SB 1251 (Gonzalez, 2022), the ZEV Market Development Office, in coordination with agencies and stakeholders, is developing a ZEV Equity Action Plan that aims to optimize equity in the ZEV transition. The Plan will include actionable recommendations and metrics to measure progress toward improving access to zero-emission vehicles, infrastructure, and ZEV transportation options in low-income, disadvantaged, and historically underserved communities, as well as improving air pollution and health outcomes within these communities.
The ZEV Equity Action Plan is built upon four focus areas that complement the four pillars of the ZEV Market Development Strategy: Outreach and Education, Infrastructure, Access and Affordability, and Workforce Development.
Outreach and Education
GO-Biz is connecting with communities across the state to better understand the information gaps around ZEVs and opportunities to improve state and community-level outreach and education.
Infrastructure
The deployment of reliable and accessible ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure is critical to meeting the state’s clean transportation, air quality, and climate goals. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is key to success.
Access and Affordability
Everyone should have the option to choose zero-emission transportation. The ZEV Equity Action Plan will present opportunities for streamlining existing state ZEV incentive programs to improve access and affordability of different modes of zero-emission transportation.
Workforce Development
Across the state’s 13 Jobs First Collaboratives, 12 identified clean economy as a regional strategic sector, and six of those regions identified ZEVs specifically as a subsector to accelerate. Growth of the ZEV industry presents an opportunity to align equity, workforce development initiatives, and climate goals.
Definition of ZEV Equity
Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Equity means ensuring that all Californians—regardless of where they live—have access to affordable and clean transportation options, including zero-emission passenger vehicles, transit, and supporting infrastructure. Achieving ZEV equity requires public engagement and education, along with strategies that address the specific needs of individuals and communities. The goal is to improve public health and expand economic opportunities and good-paying jobs, while supporting dependable access to clean transportation, and reliable charging and fueling across the state.
What’s Next?
Q4 2025 – Research & Drafting
- GO-Biz to host community roundtables to understand their vision for ZEV equity. Insights from these sessions will inform the ZEV Equity Action Plan.
- GO-Biz to consolidate existing research and complete the first draft of the ZEV Equity Action Plan.
Q1 2026 – Interagency Consultation
- GO-Biz to circulate the draft ZEV Equity Action Plan to all relevant state agencies and solicit input on implementation strategies and technical details. Agency feedback will be integrated and used to strengthen the Plan’s equity framework.
Q2 2026 – Publication
- GO-Biz to finalize and publish the ZEV Equity Action Plan.
Q3 2026 and Ongoing – Implementation
- GO-Biz to implement the Plan and continue collecting feedback per SB 1251 from communities to ensure the state prioritizes equity strategies in ZEV market development.
Upcoming Workshops
During the month of October, the ZEV Market Development Office is partnering with community groups across the state to gather feedback for the ZEV Equity Action Plan. If you would like to participate, please join us at the Bay Area Virtual Workshop on October 6, 2025, from 4:00–6:00 PM with the Greenlining Institute. To register, please contact zevequity@gobiz.ca.gov.
Contact Us
If you would like to get in touch with the ZEV Equity Team at GO-Biz, please reach out to us here, or fill out our feedback form.
