Zero-Emission Vehicles and Equity
Expanding the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) market is both an equity and economic imperative. Low-income and priority communities are often disproportionately impacted by air pollution and climate change. Wider ZEV adoption can directly benefit these communities by reducing toxics and greenhouse gas emissions, cleaning the air, and reducing health disparities. Economically, investing in ZEV infrastructure and manufacturing creates good-paying jobs, fosters innovation, and strengthens local supply chains. Policies that focus on equity, such as incentives for low-income buyers and charging access in underserved areas, ensure that all communities share in the benefits of this transition. A robust ZEV market not only advances California’s clean air and climate goals but also drives economic growth while addressing longstanding environmental injustices.
Action Plan
The ZEV Equity Action Plan (“Plan”) is intended for state agencies, industry partners, and similar stakeholders to prioritize equity as they transition to zero emission vehicles. The Plan will include recommendations on funding streams and programs that promote the equitable deployment of ZEVs and their infrastructure.
The ZEV Equity Advocate is focusing on four areas for the development of this plan which relate with the four pillars of the ZEV Market Development Strategy. These areas will be analyzed through an equity lens, providing recommendations on how stakeholders can embed equity within them to benefit priority communities.
Outreach and Education
Priority communities and those with low or no access to information about ZEVs deserve to understand and participate in the transition to clean energy in transportation. Setting aside funds for education and outreach activities targeted specifically at priority communities is an equity strategy.
Infrastructure
ZEV vehicle charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure are critical to meeting CA’s clean transportation goals. To have a ZEV ready market, the necessary infrastructure needs to be in place and collaboration between agencies, public, private and utilities is critical.
Access and Affordability
The transition to clean energy should be inclusive and just. Increasing access to and the affordability of different modes of zero emissions transportation is necessary to advance equity.
Workforce Development
The growth of the Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) industry presents a significant opportunity to align climate goals with equitable workforce development. This is particularly relevant where new technologies and clean energy standards are reshaping the landscape of work—from advanced manufacturing and battery innovation to software and infrastructure deployment.
Definition of Equity
“ZEV equity means ensuring equitable access to Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) across all vehicle classes (light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty) in all regions and communities, including rural and tribal areas with historically limited opportunities. It involves addressing barriers such as affordability, availability, education, and public engagement while guaranteeing the creation of good-paying jobs, a skilled workforce, and supporting infrastructure. ZEV equity also emphasizes offering and delivering tailored resources, opportunities, and support based on individual and community-specific needs, with the goal of reducing health and economic development disparities and expanding access to clean mobility options. ”
We are currently in the process of getting feedback from stakeholders on this draft. Please check our page regularly for updates as they occur.
If you would like to participate in the development of the definition, please fill out this input form.
Legislation
Senate Bill 1251 (Gonzalez, 2022) established the ZEV Equity Advocate role within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to prioritize equity in the transition to ZEVs, and coordinate state agencies around a ZEV equity definition and action plan.
We are leading the development of a shared, cross-agency equity definition and agenda to guide California’s transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). By aligning efforts across agencies such as CARB, CEC, CPUC, CalSTA, Caltrans, and CTC, we are embedding equity into ZEV deployment, infrastructure, and workforce development. This work builds transparent systems to track progress, elevate community-centered goals, and expand equity in all aspects of ZEV market growth. In collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit partners, we are building on past efforts to create and publish a statewide ZEV Equity Action Plan.
2025 Timeline
The proposed timeline below illustrates key milestones in the development of the ZEV equity definition and action plan over the course of 2025. There will be multiple opportunities for stakeholder review, feedback, and participation.
Outreach and Engagement
The ZEV Equity Advocate has been engaging with different stakeholders and presenting to community groups and State agencies. You can browse these presentations here
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.
Other Resources
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
Fleet Transition Services
California has set the goal that 100 percent of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the State will be zero-emission by 2045 for all operations where feasible and by 2035 for drayage trucks. The information, tools, and fleet-related service providers are listed as resources for those making the transition to zero-emission fleets. Please note that GO-Biz is unable to endorse any particular resource, and we recommend doing your own assessment of which will be most appropriate for your needs.
ZEV Resources and Readiness
GO-Biz provides information and guidance, program details and updates, research, communications channels, and more. If you are looking specifically for funding resources, visit our Funding Resources page.
California Air Resources Board
Community Air Protection Program
CARB’s Community Air Protection Program is focused on reducing exposure and improving public health in communities most impacted by air pollution. Community partnerships and leadership are central to the success of the Program.
Community Air Grants
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) established the Community Air Protection Program (CAPP) through Assembly Bill 617 to improve air quality in communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. CARB provides grants to community organizations through the Community Air Grants (CAGs) program to build local capacity, improve air quality, and support community participation in CAPP.
Zero Emission Vehicles Equity Task Force
The Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) Equity Task Force (Task Force) brings together leaders in zero-emission transportation such as environmental justice advocates, automakers, state government, and other key organizations to develop strategies to expand communities’ access to ZEVs and zero-emission mobility.
California Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Justice Program
The principles of environmental justice call for fairness, regardless of race, color, national origin or income, and the meaningful involvement of community in the development of laws and regulations that affect every community’s natural surroundings, and the places people live, work, play and learn.
Cal Enviro Screen 4.0
The dashboard is an interactive online tool used for filtering and visualizing the latest CalEnviroScreen data. Users can filter CalEnviroScreen 4.0 data by geography (county, city, or legislative district) and by any combination of the results from the 21 CalEnviroScreen indicators. The dashboard can be accessed on its own or through the user guide.
Pollution and Prejudice
CalEPA’s racial equity team designed this story map to help agency staff and the public explore the connection between racist land use practices of the 1930s and the persistence of environmental injustice.
California State Transportation Agency
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Implementation
On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, P.L. 117-58). This landmark law includes provisions related to federal-aid highway, transit, highway safety, motor carrier, research, hazardous materials, and rail programs of the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). It also includes federal policy direction and funding in the areas of climate action, zero-emission vehicle deployment, social equity, goods movement and multi-modal transportation investment sought by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and many California transportation stakeholders.
Interagency Transportation Equity Advisory Committee Charter
The Committee is intended to elevate diverse and historically marginalized voices to advise our agencies on how to achieve meaningful outcomes in transportation equity, environmental justice, and equitable economic opportunities, especially as related to transportation planning and programming
California Energy Commission
2023 Justice, Access, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Framework
This framework outlines the California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) commitment to embedding energy equity and environmental justice in our energy future. This framework is not a one-size-fits all approach, check list, or an endpoint. This is a mechanism to help establish a common understanding and approach for the CEC to its part to address climate change and ensure all Californians have dignity, health, and prosperity.
Clean Transportation Program
The California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program (previously known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program) provides funding to support innovation and accelerate the development and deployment of zero-emission transportation and fuel technologies.
Energy Equity Indicators – Interactive Story Map
Together with the California Energy Commission’s Energy Equity Tracking Progress report, this interactive story map launches a set of energy equity indicators to identify opportunities and track progress for advancing the recommendations in the SB 350 Low-Income Barriers Study.
California Public Utilities Commission
Disadvantaged communities Advisory Group Equity Framework
This Equity Framework is intended to guide the Advisory Group as it moves forward in discussing and commenting on various proceedings and programs before the CPUC and CEC ensuring that access and adequate resources reach the implementation stage and benefit communities in a meaningful and measurable way.
Environmental and Social Justice Action Plan
The CPUC has created the Environmental and Social Justice (ESJ) Action Plan to serve as both a commitment to furthering ESJ principles, as well as an operating framework with which to integrate ESJ considerations throughout the agency’s work.
Tribal Consultation Policy
The CA Public Utilities Commission adopts this Tribal Consultation Policy, consistent with Executive Order B-10-11 issued by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on September 19, 2011. Executive Order B-10-11 declares that “the State is committed to strengthening and sustaining effective government-to-government relationships between the State and the Tribes by identifying areas of mutual concern and working to develop partnerships and consensus.”
California Natural Resources Agency
Equity and Environmental Justice
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) has an important role to play in the creation and implementation of the State’s climate change strategies. As we consider the best ways to combat the fallout of climate change — including increased drought, flooding, wildfire, sea level rise, heat, and pollution — we must recognize these historical inequities, and the fact that some communities have been deprived of the tools they need to survive and thrive amidst these threats.
CA Climate Adaptation Strategy
The California Climate Adaptation Strategy, mandated by Assembly Bill 1482 (Gordon, 2015), links together the state’s existing and planned climate adaptation efforts, showing how they fit together to achieve California’s six climate resilience priorities. The Strategy is organized around outcome-based priorities, enabling a coordinated, integrated approach to building climate resilience.
Equity Year in Review
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) oversees and supports more than 26 distinct departments, conservancies, and commissions. Our Agency executive team leads efforts to steward California’s natural environment and to advance Governor Newsom’s key priorities.
California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Zero-Emission Vehicles
The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) provides support towards the deployment of ZEVs by providing resources to local jurisdictions and the public.
ZEV Community Readiness Guidebook
Numerous state agencies and ZEV experts have collaborated to prepare the ZEV Community Readiness Guidebook which provides helpful information to local and regional governments, community leaders and residents.
California Workforce Development Board
High Road Training Partnerships
The High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) initiative started as a $10M demonstration project designed to model partnership strategies for the state. Ranging from transportation to health care to hospitality, the HRTP model embodies the sector approach championed by the Board — industry partnerships that deliver equity, sustainability, and job quality.
Racial Equity Readiness Assessment Tool
The Workforce Development Racial Equity Readiness Assessment is designed as a guide for workforce development organizations and practitioners to evaluate their programs, operations, and culture in order to identify strength areas and growth opportunities.
UC Berkeley Center for Law, Equity, and the Environment
EV Equity Resources
CLEE is assembling and updating the most recent research, key guidance documents, state-level analyses, and other media related to equity in the EV transition. This resource collection is intended to help local leaders and stakeholders navigate the EV transition’s wide-ranging literature, bolster their own action plans, and identify measures to advance equity in planning and development.
EV Equity Roadmap tool – UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment
The EV Equity Roadmap tool is a free, publicly accessible map-based platform intended for use by local governments and a range of stakeholders in planning, siting, and investment decision-making processes. It enables users to identify high-priority sites for investment using an innovative approach to define EV equity at the local level.
Equitable EV Action Plan Framework – UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment
The Framework is designed to assist local governments and stakeholders in crafting EV and electrified mobility action plans featuring locally tailored, equity-focused strategies. The Framework includes nationwide examples of best practices, ambitious policies, and innovative pilots across public and multifamily EV charging, shared and micro mobility, funding and implementation, agency coordination, community engagement, and more. It was developed by UC Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy & the Environment; The Greenlining Institute; and Forth Mobility.
Public and Curbside EV Charging Strategies – UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment
Installing EV and e-mobility charging infrastructure at the curbside will be vital to a comprehensive, equitable charging network that meets the needs of drivers who lack dedicated parking. CLEE’s public and curbside charging strategies policy brief highlights pilot programs from streetlight-mounted chargers that reduce the cost and complexity of installation to guidelines for residents to extend charging cables across the sidewalk.
Multifamily Residential EV Charging Strategies – UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment
Homes constitute the core of a convenient and reliable EV charging network, and EV charging infrastructure in multifamily housing (MFH) in particular will serve a crucial role in ensuring an equitable clean mobility transition. CLEE’s multifamily housing EV charging policy brief highlights strategies to advance equity in MFH charging investments, including equity-focused allocation methods for incentive programs, MFH-specific electricity rates, and EV ownership accommodations for buildings with low near-term charging demand.
Electric Shared Mobility Strategies – UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment
Local governments across the country are planning and implementing shared mobility programs as a core strategy to meet their zero-emission transportation, climate, and equity goals. CLEE’s electric shared mobility policy brief examines six California shared mobility hub and EV carshare programs and identifies six best practices for equity-focused shared mobility program design.
Equity-Oriented Project Design Strategies – UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment
Local governments play a key role in ensuring the development of an equitable mobility transition through designing, permitting, or procuring the public EV charging infrastructure essential for adoption among priority populations. CLEE’s project design policy brief presents three strategies for local policymakers and community-based organizations seeking to design equity-oriented EV infrastructure investments: community oversight councils, Community Benefits Agreements, and participatory budgeting processes.
Government Alliance on Race and Equity
GARE Resources
GARE is a dynamic peer-to-peer learning and practice network dedicated to advancing racial equity in government, so that we all thrive where we live, learn, work and play.
The Greenlining Institute
Towards Equitable Electric Mobility (TEEM)
The Greenlining Institute and Forth launched the Towards Equitable Electric Mobility Community of Practice in 2020. TEEM is a peer-to-peer community of advocates that share policy goals, build capacity, and develop a mutual commitment towards advancing racial equity in electric mobility and climate change goals.
UC Davis Electric Vehicle Research Center
Understanding Travel Demand and Built Environment Factors to Optimize Increased ZEV Access in Underserved Communities – UC Davis Electric Vehicle Research Center
The aim of this project is to recognize the mobility needs of underserved communities and understand whether and how zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) can cost-effectively meet those needs. To achieve this aim, listening sessions (i.e., focus groups) were conducted along with an online survey, supplemented with secondary data. The sessions and survey covered mobility needs, travel behavior, perceptions of ZEVs, the impact of different interventions on increasing ZEV consideration, and barriers to ZEV adoption.
