Expanding the network of electric-vehicle charging stations is one way to accelerate the shift away from internal-combustion engines. But what about where to put them? A recent working paper published by Resources for the Future shows how investing in EV charging stations could either help level the playing field or make existing inequalities worse, especially in cities.
Historically, low-income neighborhoods and racialized communities been hit hardest by pollution. They have also had fewer transportation options as a result of urban planning policies that favoured wealthier, and predominantly white, suburban neighbourhoods away from the downtown core, the paper says. These disadvantaged communities often find themselves next to major highways, dealing with higher pollution levels, while wealthier areas enjoy cleaner air and more mobility options.
The paper calls for a smarter approach to building charging networks, proposing a four-part framework for equitable infrastructure: recognition justice to address existing inequities, distributional justice to ensure real benefits for underserved communities, procedural justice to involve locals in planning, and restorative justice to correct past wrongs through job creation and community-owned stations.
The takeaway? Policymakers shouldn’t just plop down chargers wherever they think best. They need to be strategic about where to invest in this infrastructure. That means thinking about how to avoid issues like gentrification or congestion in underserved areas while ensuring these communities still get to benefit. Ideas like building charging spots for electric bikes or public buses, or setting up community-driven models for owning and managing these stations, could also be game-changers.
Engaging with community groups, pushing for more public–private partnerships, making pricing clear and easy to understand, and better education of the public on the benefits of EV adoption and how to analyze charging options to achieve lowest price refueling are steps that can smooth the transition to EVs and ensure that public investments in charging infrastructure contribute to transportation justice.
“Equity in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure,” by Suzanne Russo, Beia Spiller, & Rachel Wilwerding, Resources for the Future, August 28, 2024.
Read the working paper originally published by Resources for the Future on Aug. 28, 2024.
