Transportation Electrification
MTC supports increasing access to clean mobility options through the electrification of transportation systems.
Transportation electrification–when paired with electricity generated from renewable resources in California–plays a key role in helping reduce pollution from the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: transportation.
Market and technology solutions are developing and expanding. Deployment of this technology and new electric charging systems must be accelerated, and equitable access must be a priority. These solutions must be able to scale quickly, so they can be implemented to meet the rapidly-approaching climate targets and the regional goal of adopting 1.5 million electric vehicles (EVs) in the Bay Area by 2030, and 5 million by 2050.
Electrification to Reach Regional Goals
Plan Bay Area 2050 outlines the region’s plan to achieve a 19% GHG emission-reduction target in transportation by 2035. In addition to strategies to reduce the need to drive and vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a key element to achieving the target is to address gaps and support the acceleration of equitable electric vehicle (EV) adoption; EV charging deployment; and other electric mobility options (e.g., electric bikes, scooters, and car share). Increasing access to clean mobility options is part of MTC’s efforts to implement strategies from Plan Bay Area 2050 that reduce regional GHG emissions, including Strategy EN8: Expand Clean Vehicle Initiatives.
To meet regional goals, MTC is working with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District), local governments and other partners to develop and support electrification strategies, including:
- EV incentive programs, including Clean Cars for All
- EV charging infrastructure programs, including the Charge! program
- EV readiness planning, including the Bay Area Electric Vehicle Acceleration Plan
- E-mobility programs, including the Richmond-San Rafael Forward initiative
- Stakeholder coordination and information sharing, including the Bay Area EV Coordinating Council
MTC, in partnership with the Air District, organizes quarterly meetings of the Bay Area EV Coordinating Council. The EV Council is a peer-to-peer forum of stakeholders to share information, provide input, and communicate updates to EV Resources.
EV's are cars and trucks that run partially or completely using an electric propulsion system, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. Electrified public transit and other shared vehicle options offer even more environmental, health, safety and economic benefits by reducing the number of vehicles on the road and the cost of getting around. Newer electric mobility (e-mobility) options, including electric bicycles, scooters and car share, also offer affordable ways to get around with an even lower impact on the environment.