The e-mobility market has rapidly expanded over the past decade and is still in its infancy. As the world seeks to find new solutions to growing problems like climate change and C02 emissions, a massive market has opened for eco-friendly vehicles of all kinds to hit the streets and offer convenient, sustainable, and accessible transportation to Americans.

Early data shows that electric vehicle users are typically middle aged, educated, and higher income. However, the government and many manufacturers are working to make vehicles more accessible.

The problem? Education and regulation. With fast market growth, local legislation and transportation programs have had little time to adapt and offer solutions to many of the problems that have correlated with the e-mobility market’s boom. As the market continues to grow, the nonprofit sector is essential in providing the public with awareness of electric mobility options as well as advancing initiatives to make e-mobility accessible, equitable, and diverse.

What is e-mobility?

E-mobility encompasses the use of a wide range of electric powered vehicles including cars, bikes, mopeds, scooters, skateboards, and more. The benefit of these vehicles ranges from cost to convenience, but most notable is their profound impact on the environment. Electric vehicles are zero-emission and contribute to a green-economy that is resource efficient and socially inclusive.

However, for the benefits of electric cars and micro-mobility vehicles (bicycles, scooters, mopeds) to be realized mass adoption needs to be enacted.

Public Outreach Coordination

 Among the greatest challenges currently facing widespread adoption of e-mobility is education. A coordinated effort from nonprofits is needed to spread knowledge about the economic, green, and sustainability benefits of all sorts of e-vehicles. Nonprofits can leverage both media and public engagement to inform and incentivize potential consumers in underserved areas. The nonprofit sector can also act as a bridge between the public and legislators when it comes to the key developments that need to take place in regard to e-mobility regulation and safety testing.

Equitable Access

One of the biggest challenges facing potential consumers is having the access to electric vehicles. Current electric car models can be costly. On the other hand, alternatives like e-bikes or scooters can have users facing difficulties with charging in resource-lacking neighborhoods or problems with accessibility when attempting to use shared systems like BIRD electric scooters or Lyft’s electric bike fleet.

Nonprofits will need to play an essential role in propelling initiatives that help low-income riders overcome barriers to e-mobility access. Such initiatives should include purchase incentives, education events, and pushes toward state and federal funding for widespread e-mobility transportation access.

Next Steps

It is clear from current data that more work is needed to expand accessibility to e-mobility, especially in marginalized communities. For the true benefits of the e-mobility market to be realized adoption of vehicles must go beyond the mainstream market and touch every community. Nonprofits of all kinds can work together to reach these communities and foster group efforts to break down potential barriers and offer solutions in a rapidly changing market. The result will be a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable world.