The electric vehicle (EV) industry is taking off and poised to reach significant heights in the United States, supporting more sustainable transportation, creating jobs, and helping Americans save on costs.
Thanks to legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), more EV developments are being backed and powering ahead. However, as the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) pointed out, there is an opportunity they’re likely overlooking in the United States: low-income housing.
Addressing the Infrastructure Gap
Initiatives like the IRA aim to encourage more people to buy electric cars, thereby creating a cleaner environment and providing many other benefits.
But, RMI noted that while EV expansion is all well and good, infrastructure like charging stations are necessary if it is to be effective.
Unfortunately, EV charging stations are currently more concentrated in areas where a lot of residents already own them — such as in high-income communities with single-family housing.
“Lower-income residents of multifamily housing often lack access to EV charging, which is a barrier to EV adoption in communities that stand to gain the most from the benefits of EVs,” RMI said.
Low-income communities are often underserved by many industries. As renewable energy steadily rises to prominence, however, it has an opportunity to ensure it does not follow that same pattern.
How the EV Industry Can Step Up
RMI spoke to residents in low-income communities in Portland, Atlanta, and Phoenix and found that residents would support EV expansion with proper infrastructure and education — two factors they currently lack.
By ensuring low-income residents of multifamily housing have fair, readily available access to EV charging stations, the American EV industry can fill a gap that would benefit everyone.
Moreover, RMI highlighted that a significant number of Americans live in multifamily housing, making the need for proper EV infrastructure all the more pressing.
“Given that 40% of Americans in the largest US cities live in multifamily housing, state and local governments need to prioritize increasing access to EV chargers and shared mobility options like carshares, electric scooters, and bikes,” they recommended.
“By deliberately integrating equity into their strategies, they can provide these residents with access to jobs, education, and health services.”
This includes jobs in EV battery manufacturing, charging station maintenance, and even security to keep the stations safe.
There is an extra layer of benefit when you consider that many residents of low-income communities in the United States are people of color, who also tend to be underrepresented in the green economy. Adequate infrastructure to support EV development in these areas could help bridge that gap.
Additionally, it could help facilitate EV car share options, bringing even more convenience and opportunities to low-income residents of multifamily communities.
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