A co-created, community-informed model for electric vehicle adoption in disadvantaged communities

To co-create a community-informed model of EV adoption, we conducted one English-speaking and two Spanish-speaking focus groups with 29 residents from six disadvantaged urban communities in Southeast Los Angeles. Participants were asked whether they owned an EV or hybrid vehicle, benefits and obstacles to EV ownership, and recommendations for making EV adoption feasible and acceptable. A Community Advisory Council participated in preparation of an interview guide and a review of findings. Social, environmental and personal benefits were cited as reasons for EV ownership but were considered secondary to cost, limited infrastructure (e.g., chargers), and lack of information. This information was used to generate a logic model listing adoption determinants, strategies, causal mechanisms and outcomes. A community informed model serves as a potential tool for promoting the adoption of EVs in disadvantaged communities and creating the conditions necessary for such adoption to be perceived by residents as acceptable, feasible, and appropriate.