Designing Advanced Technology Vehicle Incentives Which Enhance Both California’s Clean Vehicle Miles Travelled and Environmental Justice Goals

Research Team: Greg Pierce (lead), J.R. DeShazo, and Colleen Callahan

UC Campus(es): UCLA

Problem Statement: Governor Jerry Brown has set an aggressive goal of getting 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on California’s roads by 2025. Several state programs have supported this goal by offering dirty vehicle retirement and clean vehicle purchase rebates to California drivers. However, to date these programs have had limited participations from low- and moderate-income drivers. Consequently, the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program (EFMP) Plus-Up pilot program was introduced to give low-income households in disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley and Los Angeles areas a greater opportunity to participate in clean vehicle purchases.

Project Description: The UCLA Luskin Center estimated the impact of EFMP pilot programs in terms of disadvantaged community participation, benefits to participating households in reducing their transportation costs and increasing their travel reliability, improvements in local disadvantaged community’s air quality as well as contribution to the state’s greenhouse gas reduction and ZEV goals.

Status: Completed

Budget: $55,000