Abstract:
As the transportation and the automotive industries continue to grow, the impacts on the environment and human health remain a growing concern on the general public and policy-makers [6], [9]. Although Electric Vehicles (EVs) are entering the market as a green technology solution to counteract greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), there are still barriers that need to be overcome for EV widespread adoption. These include basic technology information spread for public knowledge, equity concerns, and infrastructure access to all.
This study aims to advance vital knowledge regarding environmental and social justice impacts of the electrified technology, including electric vehicles (EVs), EVs charging stations (ChSs), and electrified roadways (ERWs). This project is a joint collaboration between the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Center for Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE), and the US Department of Transportation’s Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy and health (CARTEEH). The ASPIRE center aims at a sustainable and fair future for transportation infrastructure systems through widespread electrification for all classes of vehicles. The center focuses on the incorporation of electrified roadways and wireless charging solutions for EVs so they can charge either in motion or parked, thus eliminating the gas-station models, and offering health benefits through cleaner air and sustainable infrastructure [1]. CARTEEH focuses on the impact of transportation on human health [2].
The goals of the study are to evaluate perceptions, opinions, and knowledge of underrepresented communities (URCs) about the electrified transportation technologies and examine disparities in access to EV infrastructure. In this study, we define URCs as low-income or minority populations. The study was performed within the city of El Paso, Texas, where its cultural and demographic diversity, with 85% Hispanic population, offers an adequate location as a testbed for the major focus of this work. This project will help inform about the social and infrastructure barriers that need to be taken into considerations in future research directions, design alternatives, and testbed development. In turn, leading to the rollout of the widespread EV adoption to include historically minoritized populations.
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Systems of SystemsPublication Authors:
- Liliana Lozada-Medellin
- Ivonne Santiago
- Yuanrui Sang