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In California's Central Valley, high auto ownership costs, limited transit service, and increasing housing costs are an accessibility triple threat for low-income populations in rural communities. These residents need more affordable, clean, safe, and reliable travel modes that fill the wide accessibility gaps between existing transit service and personal vehicle ownership. Many of these residents struggle to access essential opportunities (education and jobs) and essential services (health care, recreation, and healthy food). In rural communities, high-quality transit services (fixed route and dial-a-ride) are challenging to provide because of low-density, dispersed development patterns. These conditions provide an opportunity to meet local needs with highly efficient alternative fuel vehicles. The project involves a volunteer ride program (Míoride) using electric vehicles from a local electric vehicle carsharing organization (Míocar). Volunteer drivers use the electric vehicles to provide critical rideshare services for low-income communities in rural Tulare and Kern Counties in exchange for use of the electric vehicles for their own transportation needs, demonstrating the value of these vehicles in effectively meeting the needs of rural communities. The project team is collecting operational data from the vehicles and charging stations to assess the energy efficiency of the rideshare system.

For more information on this project, check the Technology Integration 2020 Annual Report or Annual Merit Review presentation.