Developing fair infrastructure for electric vehicles: key steps towards a sustainable future and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

During the investigation of the current situation with electric vehicles (EVs) and their fair distribution among different social groups, collected information points to several key aspects that are of great importance for the successful development of the EV market, as well as for ensuring equal access for all citizens. Studies and models developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) emphasize the need for developing infrastructure that does not overlook less privileged communities, including those with lower incomes, rural areas, and ethnic minorities.

Fair access to EV charging infrastructure
To ensure fair development of infrastructure for electric vehicles, NREL has developed a model called *Electric Vehicle Infrastructure for Equity (EVI-Equity)*, which assesses the degree of fairness in the availability of EV chargers at a national level. This model analyzes the availability of chargers through social-economic, demographic, and geographical factors and highlights key differences in access between wealthier and less developed areas. Analyses show that most chargers are installed in urban and financially stable communities, while rural and lower-income areas often remain neglected. To address this issue, it is suggested to strategically place chargers in commercial zones and public spaces, which would allow for greater accessibility and fairness in the use of EVs.

New approaches to encouraging mass adoption of EVs
Given the rapid growth in electric vehicle sales, which have increased from 600,000 to 1.6 million in the United States over the past two years, experts emphasize the need for developing a reliable and accessible charging network to support the growing demand. The key challenge is to ensure that chargers are equally accessible in all parts of the country, including rural and less developed areas. According to NREL's research, the current distribution model of chargers often favors wealthier urban areas, while rural areas are neglected. To bridge this gap, it is necessary to develop systems that encourage the installation of chargers in less developed regions and provide incentives for building owners with tenants to install chargers.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
One of the key reasons for promoting the shift to electric vehicles is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which make up about 28% of total emissions in the United States. Most of these emissions come from the transportation sector, with personal vehicles making up a significant portion. Fair distribution of charging infrastructure and increasing the availability of EVs on the market are crucial steps toward achieving emission reduction goals and mitigating climate change. In this context, strategies that promote equal availability of EVs for all social layers and regions are of critical importance for creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.

These new data and analyses highlight the need to integrate fairness and social responsibility into the planning and implementation of transportation electrification policies. Given the increasing pressure for a swift transition to clean energy, timely action and directing resources toward equitable distribution of infrastructure become imperative for sustainable development and reducing inequalities in access to environmentally friendly technologies.