Transportation is responsible for most air pollution in urban areas and produces the most greenhouse gases of any U.S. economic sector. To reduce these emissions, cities and businesses are considering deploying electric vehicles, which produce no tailpipe emissions that would otherwise impact public health in their immediate surroundings and have lower carbon footprints. Realizing the benefits of transportation electrification for all residents, including those in low-income communities, may require targeted policies and planning methods.

This paper draws out case studies or strategies described in “Electrified Transportation for All,” a brief that encourages planners and fleet managers to consider the potential costs and benefits of different types of electrified transportation in low-income communities. The brief helps estimate and explain total cost of ownership (TCO) and the differences in air quality and greenhouse gas emissions of electrified light-duty passenger cars, school buses, and transit buses.