Category: Blog

Taking bold steps to prioritize electrification for the future of its communities

Covering approximately 50,000 square miles in Southern California and providing more than 15 million people with electricity, Southern California Edison (SCE) is one of the largest regional organizations in the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) and one of the founding partners that helped create the Partnership in 2018. “When we started TEP, we knew that the electric industry had to keep pushing for more renewables and bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But we also knew that to address climate change we had to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from other parts of the economy, especially the transportation sector – which in California accounts for almost 50% of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Drew Murphy, senior vice president of Strategy and Corporate Development at Edison International, the parent company of SCE.

The California Clean Fuel Reward Program is an endeavor that SCE cites as an important example of their dedication to transportation electrification. This program, which was originated by SCE and then adopted statewide, provides an additional incentive for the purchase of electric vehicles across the state at the point of sale. “Having the ability to remove some of the cost pressure of EVs at the point of sale is an important incentive for customers, so we’re proud to join the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the other utilities participating in the program,” said Michael Backstrom, vice president of Regulatory Policy for SCE. The company has also recently introduced a rebate program for those who buy and lease pre-owned EVs.

The Charge Ready Program is another example of the bold action SCE has taken to encourage transportation electrification in the region. As the largest utility-run electric passenger vehicle charging infrastructure program in the nation, Charge Ready will add about 38,000 new electric car chargers throughout SCE’s service area over the next few years. Through Charge Ready, SCE installs and maintains the supporting EV charging infrastructure while site hosts, who are nonresidential SCE customers, own, operate and maintain qualified charging stations. Charge Ready also includes options for SCE to own, operate and maintain charging stations for specific segments, as well as provides rebates for charging stations installed during the construction of new multi-family property sites.

Beyond passenger vehicles, SCE is also taking ambitious steps in goods movement. The Charge Ready Transport program will support EV charging for at least 8,490 industrial EVs across the company’s service area. For example, the program will play a vital role in supporting EV charging for 100 electric trucks via the CARB- and California Energy Commission-funded Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative. The pilot will eliminate 8,200 metric tons of harmful emissions annually through a collaboration with transportation and logistics companies NFI Industries Inc. and Schneider National, Inc. These companies recently announced that they will each put 50 heavy-duty, plug-in, battery-electric trucks into operation at their Los Angeles area locations.

In addition to programs designed to help others reach transportation electrification goals, SCE has made strides in leading by example. By 2030, every passenger car and small-to-midsize SUV in SCE’s fleet will be electric, the company announced. The electric company will also convert 30% of its medium-duty vehicles and pickup trucks, 8% of heavy-duty trucks and 60% of forklifts to electric power by that same year. “As we encourage our customers to consider fleet electrification, it is critical for our company and our industry to show leadership,” said Backstrom. “Setting goals to electrify our own fleet is one more way to show that we remain committed to making the changes necessary to clean our air and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”

As we advance the goals we set in our Zero Emission Roadmap 2.0, TEP is determined to create an equitable and sustainable transportation ecosystem in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. “We want to show everyone that electrification of mobility at scale is not only doable, but doable in a way that makes things better,” Murphy added. “Being part of the TEP Leadership Group is important to us because it helps advance what the region and the state must do to be successful in reaching California’s climate action goals. As a partnership, we can leverage our thinking throughout California, nationally, and internationally, to make a difference and start accelerating innovation across the industry and region.”

– Shevonne Sua, LACI Transportation Program Assistant

The Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) is an unprecedented regional public-private collaboration to accelerate deep reductions in climate and air pollution by the time of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. All of our partners have committed to work individually and collectively to pursue policies, pilot projects, and other actions that are equity-driven, create quality jobs, grow the economy, and help the region reach the bold targets in the TEP’s Zero Emissions 2028 Roadmap 2.0.

Pilot frameworks for sustainable EV car sharing solutions in disadvantaged communities

Summary
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), Pacoima Beautiful, and Envoy Technologies Inc. (“Envoy”) recently completed two pilots of electric vehicle (EV) car share services in Pacoima and San Pedro. The lessons we learned from these EV car share pilots can be used to design future community EV car sharing investments that increase transportation options, reduce local air pollution, provide alternatives to internal combustion engine vehicles, and improve access to jobs and services in frontline communities.

Background
Following the policy momentum of S.B. 1275 (De Leon) and subsequent funding authorized by the state legislature, LACI launched the Zero Emission Mobility and Community pilot program in 2019 with funding from the California Workforce Development Board. We kicked off the program with a two-sided Request for Information (RFI) – one for Zero Emission Mobility Technology Providers and one for Disadvantaged Communities, as defined by the State, with identified Transportation needs. Residents, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), City Departments, and Cities applied to host a pilot, with a diverse array of technology partners applying to provide solutions. The breadth and number of applications showed a true need and enthusiasm for innovative zero emission mobility solutions.

The electric vehicle was “comfortable, quiet, easy to handle, and helps the environment.”

– Rancho San Pedro community member

Program design and goals
A rigorous selection process based on criteria such as community partner capacity, available real estate for infrastructure, and robust needs assessment, produced four matches between technologies and communities that were transformed into the Zero Emission Mobility and Community pilots in Long Beach, Pacoima, San Pedro, and Leimert Park.

Two communities, Pacoima and San Pedro, were selected to host EV car shares provided by Envoy, a LACI company, in partnership with Pacoima Beautiful and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), respectively. Nissan North America, a TEP founding partner, provided a long range Nissan LEAF SV+ for each pilot. The EV car share pilots focused on providing easily-accessible, healthy, environmentally friendly, safe, reliable, and affordable transportation to accelerate the adoption of light duty electric vehicles while also developing a replicable, sustainable program model that tested for market transformation opportunities.

The pilots launched during the global Coronavirus pandemic, and the EV car share was approved by the City of Los Angeles as an essential service – offering alternatives to mass transit which was perceived as a health risk and became less reliable due to reduced service and shutdowns. Despite launching in the middle of the pandemic, both pilots exhibited unique successes.

“I had no car and worked full time and Envoy was more affordable than ubers/lyfts everyday.”

– Pacoima community member

As a focal point of both pilots, the project team worked collaboratively to test pricing scenarios specific to community needs. Pricing for vehicle use was set by the community partners. A portion of the rates were subsidized by the grant using a “Transportation Wallet” model – direct community incentives aimed at making the program more accessible to low-and-moderate income individuals. The Transportation Wallet was flexibly deployed to cover rate subsidies and promotional campaigns as directed by the pilot partners.

Program revenue garnered during the pilot period was another critical pilot component. Envoy established 50/50 revenue share agreements with community partners based on the full hourly market rate. As long as the Transportation Wallet could support the subsidized rate, Envoy and the community partner earned revenue at the market rate, and shared the benefits from the revenue split. This tested methods to reinvest dollars back into programs post-pilot period.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Compare and contrast
The Pacoima Electro-share pilot launched as a community-facing EV car share with two Nissan Leaf EVs, dedicated EV chargers, and dedicated parking spaces. Uniquely, this pilot tested the use of innovative off grid EV chargers. The EVs were parked a mile from Pacoima City Hall and a short two block walk from the nearest bus stop. Pacoima Beautiful, a local environmental justice organization, led the community outreach, education, and enrollment via flyer door drops, email newsletters, and social media posts. Envoy reinforced these activities through supportive marketing, education, and outreach (ME&O) activities. Due to the pandemic, the partners avoided in person events.

The HACLA Rancho San Pedro Electric Share pilot was specifically for the ~1400 residents of the Rancho San Pedro property. The EVs, also two Nissan Leafs, were parked adjacent to the Resident Advisory Council office with dedicated EV chargers and parking spaces constructed on the property. HACLA’s existing Community Coaches served as the program ambassadors, performing all outreach, education, and enrollment duties which included flyer door drops and phone calls. Envoy also fortified these efforts with dedicated ME&O.

Results
During the 12-month pilot term, we tracked quantitative membership growth and utilization (distance, time) while gathering qualitative data on users’ habits and motivations.

Some learnings of interest included:

• • Powerful leadership by the non-profit partners. Both Pacoima and San Pedro community partner teams took ownership of the pilots, which helped bolster a “train the trainer” approach specific to each community’s needs. This included direct support in native languages of the community.
  • Different usage patterns over the pilot period: Usage was impacted during peak COVID transmission periods. Rancho San Pedro bounced back quickly and hit higher overall membership numbers and utilization rates, but Pacoima’s growth was slower and directly tied to COVID restrictions – when restrictions were lifted, usage went up. This result aligns with the contrast between a public vs private program, where visibility, easy access to the EVs and program point of contact helps overcome barriers to adoption, as well as with Pacoima’s high COVID rates. Generally, the program team observed that vehicles were often used to support essential service activities (such as travel to and from grocery stores and the hospital).
  • Unexpected trip lengths: Members of both programs did not hesitate to take longer trips, despite range anxiety often being cited as another EV adoption barrier, because the new EVs were seen as more reliable than older personally owned vehicles.
  • Key value adds: In addition to the expected EV car share benefits, designated parking was a motivating factor for using the program due to local parking constraints.
  • Pricing impacts: The subsidized rate and price changing during the pilot period were a success. The Pacoima pilot tested price elasticity by raising the hourly rate incrementally by $1/hour at a time, from $2/hour up to $5/hour, over a three-month period. This represented a discount of roughly 50% from the hourly market rate. Despite price changes during this period, utilization did not decrease and membership continued to grow. This demonstrated the need for, and interest in, the EV car share even if the cost was not as deeply discounted, and the willingness by the community members to have some “skin in the game” to pay out of pocket a certain subsidized price. The Rancho San Pedro hourly rate, by contrast, remained constant throughout the pilot period.

“I use [the EV car share] because my personal car is not great for long distances or freeway. I also use it because it is convenient sometimes to not lose my parking spot at [Rancho San Pedro].”

– Rancho San Pedro community member

Post-pilot
In order to continue the EV car shares beyond the 12-month pilot term, the CBOs wanted to see their monthly revenue share exceed operating expenses. This threshold represents the point at which the program would be sustained by its utilization. The EV car share at Rancho San Pedro hit this target, but the EV car share in Pacoima did not.

Nevertheless, both EV car shares are continuing as independent programs post-pilot term. Rancho San Pedro’s operating expenses are fully covered by the monthly revenue share. Pacoima Beautiful will use the accrued pilot term revenue share to pay for the program until an additional grant can be secured. We expect that the Pacoima program will hit the break-even target within the next 6 months as steady growth continues.

Finally, the program operators will need to establish a self-sustaining Transportation Wallet to make sure that these programs can succeed in the years to come. Currently, the Transportation Wallet is filled by grant funding, but since the programs are continuing, the operators can test alternative sources of funding for the Wallet like monthly membership fees, small amenity fees charged to multi-family housing residents, tiered membership pricing based on income level, or even utility credits like those available from the Low Carbon Fuels Standard Program, which may provide additional revenue sources to help bolster program.

The lessons we have learned from the EV car share pilots can be used by community members, local governments, community-based organizations, service providers, and housing operators to inform community EV car shares that benefit the community environmentally and economically by cleaning the air and providing access to jobs. We are also encouraged by the ability of these pilots to have successfully explored potential pathways to market sustainability. We encourage more partners to explore EV car shares as part of their clean transportation and equity efforts.

This is a hidden gem solution for cleaning the air that can reduce the number of personally owned vehicles, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, decrease the need for parking spaces and can allow for increased green space for community socializing. It has been a successful effort to take policy to action, and provided deeper insight for all stakeholders on the path to expanding market-driven EV sharing ecosystems.

Contact
If you have further questions about the Zero Emission Mobility and Community Pilots in Pacoima and San Pedro please reach out to pilots@laci.org.

A small city growing a big plan for zero emission mobility.

Covering roughly five square miles in west Los Angeles County, with a population of nearly 40,000, Culver City was the first small city to join the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) two years ago, with then Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells stating, “Together, we can lead the way in championing climate action through zero emissions mobility.” Since then, the City has been making steady progress on multiple fronts to support the goals of TEP. 

Culver City has become one of the fastest-growing digital media hubs in Southern California as Amazon, Apple, HBO, TikTok and other firms have expanded into the area, drawn to its location and movie history. The influx has brought thousands of new jobs to the city along with the associated transit challenges. As a small city, Culver City is readily able to address all mobility functions from electric buses to dedicated bus lanes to new first/last mile connections. 

Transforming the City Fleet
“We have adopted a vehicle policy to buy electric as long as it can meet our needs and is sustainable,” says Culver City Chief Transportation Officer Rolando Cruz. “With that in mind, the Transportation Department has committed to being 100 percent electric by 2028 for all of our CityBus and CityRide vehicles, which is in alignment with our TEP goals.” This fiscal year, the City will receive its first four 40-foot battery-electric buses from New Flyer.

But it’s more than the electric buses themselves that cities must take into consideration; transit agencies are learning that planning for the infrastructure to support the buses is critical. “What we are doing differently than others is creating a Battery Electric Bus Transition Plan for our infrastructure that aligns with our transportation vehicle replacements,” says Cruz. This plan includes a service, fleet, fuel, maintenance, and facilities assessment so that the City can fully understand the total cost of ownership. 

In the coming weeks, Culver City will take final recommendations and bring the full plan to the City Council for adoption. Culver City is also making progress in securing funding for its electrification efforts, having recently been awarded a $5 million grant from the California Energy Commission for the buildout of infrastructure enhancements required for full fleet electrification by 2028.

Reimagining Streets
Culver City’s leadership in transportation electrification extends to other innovative programs as well. In particular, MOVE Culver City evaluates streets in conjunction with the community to provide mobility alternatives. More specifically, the program envisions a reimagining of streets as public spaces and prioritizes moving people over cars in the design. As part of the program, the City has partnered with a local company, Sunset Vans, to create the first electric mini-bus in the country.

Beginning August 19, 2021, Culver CityBus is providing safe and reliable transportation to students in the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) for free with a special TAP (Transit Access Pass) card, as part of a new pilot program. Culver City students receive unlimited rides at no cost on Culver CityBus, LA Metro bus and rail, and LADOT Dash. “This exciting program is several years in the making. Free bus fares provide increased accessibility to transit for the youth of our community and will create future generations of public transportation users,” said Culver City Mayor Alex Fisch.

Whether they’re setting ambitious fleet electrification goals or creating innovative mobility alternatives, Culver City has been making impressive progress on their transportation goals in conjunction with the greater ecosystem. “Being a part of TEP has helped us look at the big picture and to take aholistic approach to tackling the mobility challenges of the City, including transportation electrification. One thing that we learned early on is that this requires interdepartmental collaboration,” says Cruz. “We have created a mobility working group that includes staff from the  Public Works and Community Development Departments. We are working together to solve mobility challenges and support each others’ efforts to help enhance quality of life within our community. We are working hard on a short-range mobility plan that will outline our plans over the next 2-3 two to three years. But ultimately our group is more able to collaborate and solve these bigger picture problems through our partnership with TEP.”

– Shevonne Sua, LACI Transportation Program Assistant

The Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) ​​is an unprecedented regional public-private collaboration to accelerate deep reductions in climate and air pollution by the time of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. All of our partners have commited to work individually and collectively to pursue  policies, pilots, and other actions that are equity-driven, create quality jobs, grow the economy, and help the region reach the bold targets in the TEP’s Zero Emissions 2028 Roadmap 2.0.

BILL WOULD HELP CALIFORNIA LEAD THE WAY IN MEETING PRESIDENT BIDEN’S GOAL OF 50% EVS SOLD NATIONWIDE BY 2030

Proposed ZEV “Czar” and ZEV Authority will use whole of government approach to forge accountability & financing tools, ensure California prioritizes investments in underserved communities of color, & create high quality jobs while meeting Governor Newsom’s goal to end the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035

LOS ANGELES — Today the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP), a public-private partnership led by the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), were joined by State Senator Henry Stern and environmental justice advocates to call for the approval of legislation to accelerate transportation electrification to dramatically reduce harmful air and climate pollutants, prioritize investments and zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) deployments in communities disproportionately burdened by air pollution, create good paying jobs, and grow the related ZEV innovation manufacturing economy. 

Los Angeles and California are leading the transition to zero-emission vehicles, yet experience the worst air quality in the nation. To meet TEP’s ambitious climate and air pollution targets set for Greater Los Angeles to achieve by the time of the Olympics in 2028 as well as Governor Newsom’s Executive Order to electrify transportation, it was identified that California needs an Authority & leader singularly focused on working across State government to help accelerate progress.

Senate Bill 551, introduced by Senator Stern (D-Los Angeles) at the request of the Transportation Electrification Partnership & LACI, would create the California Zero-Emission Vehicle Authority to hold accountable the dozens of state agencies involved, while working with communities, labor, and the private sector, providing strategic direction, creating new funding and financing tools to support the transition, and ensuring that equity is a top priority in all funding and programs for zero-emission transportation. The Authority would also help bring focus to needed job training and support for manufacturing, while ensuring California leads the way to meet President Biden’s 2030 goal of 50 percent of all cars sold to be electric vehicles.

“Transportation is the greatest source of harmful air and climate pollution in LA and across California, and frontline communities of color suffer a disproportionate impact,” said Matt Petersen, President & CEO of LACI. “We need a senior leader and ZEV Authority laser-focused on working across all state agencies, local communities, labor, and industry to prioritize equity, create new financing tools and high road jobs, unlock startup innovation, & accelerate progress in getting 100% zero-emissions cars, buses and trucks on the road. We thank Senator Stern for his leadership.”

“California must exercise its market-making power as a global electric vehicle goliath in both purchasing and jobs and investment in manufacturing batteries, cars, buses and trucks, and installing fast-charging infrastructure.  The clean vehicle economy and related manufacturing and infrastructure upgrades will not only restore clean air for all, it will be the biggest job creator in California for the coming decade,” said Senator Stern. “The President gets this, and Congress and the private sector are poised to invest big. The question is who will win the global race?”

“Just this week leading world scientists warned us about the need to take immediate action to reduce global warming and climate change impacts,” said Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), co-author of SB 551. “California has already led the way by adopting aggressive goals and timelines. SB 551 is another important step. It directs the state to work more efficiently by creating a platform that will encourage collaboration and more strategic planning across our state to help expedite much needed transportation infrastructure and strengthen the workforce.”

“Communities like mine in Watts suffer disproportionate and unfair impacts from California’s addiction to gas-powered cars, buses and trucks, which makes the passage of SB551 an environmental justice issue,” said Watts Clean Air & Energy Committee co-chair Jacquelyn Badejo. “All of California’s children deserve to live in healthy communities and to have a spot in the jobs of the future. A Zero-Emissions Vehicle Authority makes it clear that leadership at the highest levels of government are planning for a better future that is committed to equitable outcomes.”

“California needs clean air and good jobs,” said Vanessa Morelan, Western States Program Manager, EVNoire. “We can address both of these challenges by passing SB 551, which creates senior-level leadership to make sure that our transition to zero-emissions occurs with a comprehensive focus on spurring our local cleantech industry; provides jobs for low-income and underserved Californians; and, prepares the state for the climate challenges that lie ahead. Senate Bill 551 specifically calls for prioritizing equity in all funding and programs, economic development and enhanced workforce training, which is a pinnacle of the EVNoire vision and why we fully support this mission.”

More than 100 organizations have endorsed the bill, including local government, industry leaders, startups, environmental organizations, environmental justice groups, public health advocates, labor organizations, and academia. The bill has earned bipartisan support throughout its legislative journey to date, but it has yet to be voted upon by the full Assembly. The bill will be up for consideration by the Assembly Appropriations Committee when the Legislature reconvenes mid-month.

###

Approved Statements

Mayor Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles

“Zero-emissions transportation isn’t just one of our greatest opportunities to turn the tide on the climate crisis — it’s a chance to jumpstart our economy, create good-paying jobs, and reverse inequities that have harmed our communities for generations. SB551 will ensure that the transition to zero-emissions transportation is a force for good in people’s lives, and give us the tools to continue to accelerate our path toward a more sustainable and just future.” 

City of Los Angeles – Councilmember Kevin De León, Council District 14

“My district is crisscrossed with freeways that are choking the air from our children’s lungs. California needs to be doing more to clean our air which is why I strongly support SB 551 by Senator Henry Stern to ensure the State accelerates efforts in eliminating tailpipe emissions, getting zero-emission trucks hauling in and out of the Port of LA, and making electric vehicles accessible to everyone.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn

“California is known for its car culture and for leading the world with aggressive climate policies. With SB 551, we have a chance to be known for truly implementing a climate-friendly zero-emission transportation future. The communities that I represent near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach need California to create a future that includes a focus on electrifying the freight industry. Making a clean future an executive priority is exactly the kind of bold action we need.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell

“Our children deserve to breathe clean, healthy air and SB551 is a commitment to making that future a reality. It is abundantly clear that we have no time to waste in reducing our carbon emissions and greening our transportation sector. By passing SB551, our state leaders will make it clear they understand the urgency of now and that they are ready to lead with action and equity.”

Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys), SB 551 Joint Author

“California may have 50% of the nation’s zero-emissions vehicles on our roads, but the air quality in our communities makes it clear that we need to get every gas-powered car, bus and truck off the road now. California can create the nation’s first Zero-Emissions Vehicle Authority to lead the nation in building the infrastructure, jobs and innovation needed so that our families can breathe cleaner air.” 

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), SB 551 Co-author

“California has a bold vision for a zero-emissions future, and SB551 has the teeth needed to make it a reality. By establishing a senior leadership position, the creation of a Zero-Emissions Vehicle Authority gives Californians someone to hold accountable for making clean air a reality.”

Veronica Padilla, Executive Director, Pacoima Beautiful

“We know that communities like the ones I represent in northeast San Fernando Valley are hit first and worst by the impacts of climate change and pollution. That is why we are proud to stand with a coalition of clean tech, environmental justice and community leaders to say that it is time for bold leadership at the highest levels of government to make a transition to a zero-emissions future possible. By passing SB551, California will make it clear that it is ready to tackle head-on the looming challenges of climate change with a focus and investment in communities that need it the most.”

Bahram Fazeli, Director of Research & Policy, Communities for a Better Environment

“For communities who have long suffered disproportionately from the impacts of pollution from the freight industry and from being adjacent to freeways, we need a whole of government approach to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Making that transition will require focused leadership and collaboration from our state officials and agencies. We stand behind SB551 because we know that environmental justice and equity in the green future requires an all-hands-on-deck approach that makes sure no community is left behind.”