Community Perspective in Regional Planning: The EV CAR Framework
- MBACJC
- May 4
- 1 min read
Updated: May 5
Several MBACJC partners were recently engaged in centering community perspectives to develop a regional EV charging plan. The results of this engagement are detailed in a new case study by the UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) titled "Monterey Bay EV Climate Adaptation & Resiliency (EV CAR) Framework Community Engagement Process"
Report Overview
The report highlights lessons learned from the Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Climate Adaptation and Resiliency (EV CAR) framework. This initiative, led by AMBAG in partnership with Regeneración Pájaro Valley Climate Action and Ecology Action, aimed to identify transportation barriers in underserved communities.
Key Findings
The study conducted 691 surveys, primarily in Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Pajaro, Salinas, and Greenfield. Key takeaways include:
Infrastructure Barriers: 46% of respondents have missed essential trips, such as work or medical appointments, due to a lack of transportation options.
Education Needs: Only 58% of those surveyed were familiar with electric cars, and many cited a lack of maintenance knowledge as a primary concern.
Economic Hurdles: High vehicle prices and the inability to install home charging in rental units remain the most significant barriers to adoption.
Trust and Inclusion: There is a strong sentiment that existing highway infrastructure is "not for us," highlighting a need for community-centric investments rather than just serving through-traffic.
Next Steps
The feedback from the report is now being used to guide investments in EV vanpooling, car sharing, and public charging stations located near multi-family housing.
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