Abstract
Transportation network companies (TNCs), also known as ridehailing, such as Uber and Lyft, have contributed to increased vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and associated emissions in California’s urban areas over the past decade. In response, Senate Bill (SB) 1014 – the Clean Miles Standard – requires TNCs to achieve 90% electric vehicle (EV) miles traveled and zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per passenger mile by 2030. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) oversee implementation and enforcement of these targets.
To understand the barriers and preferences for EV adoption among TNC drivers, the research team used a mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative and quantitative data. This included 10 expert interviews, 8 driver group discussions, and a statewide survey of 436 full- and part-time TNC drivers conducted between May 2023 and April 2024. The survey gathered detailed information on drivers’ socio-demographic profiles, attitudes toward EVs, driving behaviors, and policy preferences, such as charging credits (i.e., a monetary incentive or prepaid allowance to offset the cost of EV charging activities and EV charging equipment) and EV purchase discounts (i.e., price reductions or instant rebates at the point of sale). In addition, the survey presented hypothetical decision-making scenarios to explore how factors such as income level, home charging access, and prior EV experience influence a TNC driver’s willingness to acquire an EV. Using statistical analysis, we estimated the most influential factors for EV adoption for full-time as well as part-time drivers. Then a “what-if” simulation was ran to explore how different combinations of incentives and driver characteristics might change the appeal of EV adoption.
