(November 8, 2018) PASADENA, Calif. — Electrify America has  announced collaboration with six organizations in California to help develop and launch community-based programs to support brand-neutral education and awareness of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) for disadvantaged and low-income communities. Electrify America is investing $2.7 million in the education and outreach campaign.

“We believe collaborating with these community-based organizations will raise awareness that ZEVs can affordably meet most consumers’ mobility needs today,” said Richard Steinberg, senior director of marketing, communications and Green Cities at Electrify America.

“The gap between the perceived and actual affordability of ZEVs appears to be significant, and it presents an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation within California’s low-income and disadvantaged communities about the benefits of ZEVs.”

Electrify America uses definitions for low-income communities (LIC) and disadvantaged communities (DAC) established by California, which are published and mapped by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on its “Disadvantaged and Low-income Communities Investments” webpage.

The organizations collaborating with Electrify America on this initiative include Valley Clean Air Now, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, Chinese Newcomers Service Center, Self Help for the Elderly, Liberty Hill Foundation and GRID Alternatives. More than 75 non-profit, private and public entities from across California were invited to submit proposals.

Comments from two of the organizations selected to collaborate in the initiative:

"Valley Clean Air Now manages the "Drive Clean in the San Joaquin", a program designed to help families repair or replace their older model inefficient and high emission vehicles with newer hybrid or plug-in electric vehicles,” said Tom Knox, executive director of Valley Clean Air Now. “We look forward to cooperating Electrify America on zero emission vehicle education including ride and drives designed to increase ZEV sales.”

“Our project team consists of experienced program managers and community service professionals skilled in servicing hard-to-reach populations,” said Anni Chung, President and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly. “The cooperation with Electrify America will offer continued support to our extended network of 25 community-based organizations in 10 California counties to provide culturally competent, linguistically appropriate ZEV awareness and education.”

“Due to a combination of public policies and incentive programs in California, there are more models of ZEVs available in California than anywhere else. The cost for a low-income individual to obtain both new and used ZEVs in California can often be less expensive than a similar gasoline-powered vehicle,” Richard Steinberg of Electrify America said.

“Electrify America believes this is a critical message to communicate, and we have chosen to collaborate with these six organizations that are trusted in their communities and will deliver that message most effectively.”