Abstract:

Growth in the electric vehicle market continues globally and in the United States. Global cumulative electric vehicle sales surpassed 2 million units in early 2017. The United States accounts for about one-quarter of the global market with more than half a million sales through 2016.This briefing summarizes policies and actions that are expanding access to electric transportation in the United States. It includes practices that support electric vehicle adoption and broaden awareness about, and access to, electric mobility. This study highlight low-income and apartment dwellers where applicable and include actions to expand access to electric mobility more generally that are not explicitly targeting these groups. Additionally, it highlights electric transportation beyond privately owned vehicles, including shared mobility, public transportation, and infrastructure. Practices that support electric vehicle adoption and broaden awareness about and access to electric mobility are included. This briefing explores innovative programs that are designed to remove such barriers. The authors explore 10 categories of policies and actions that were in place in the United States in 2017 and discuss how they increase access to electrification. This briefing lays the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the electric vehicle policy package needed to more equitably serve potential new markets.