Apr 2026 • Guidebook • Report
Expanding Public Electric Vehicle Charging in South Los Angeles
Community Perspectives, Resources, and Implementation Pathways
Researcher(s) Rachel Connolly, Gregory Pierce, Connor Castillo, Wendy Salvador-Galbraith, and Richard Parks
Funder(s): University of California Office of the President through the California State Budget Act of 2022–23
Abstract:
As part of the Climate Action–Community-driven eLectric vEhicle chArging solutioN (CA–CLEAN) project, researchers at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation worked to improve procedural equity in the siting of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by co-designing charging infrastructure with communities. The team partnered with three community-based organizations across the City of Los Angeles, including Redeemer Community Partnership in South Los Angeles (L.A.). Between 2024 and 2025, the team held three workshops in each community to understand residents’ perspectives and preferences regarding EVs and public charging. This guide summarizes 1) what the community shared during the workshops and through written surveys, 2) presents key challenges and opportunities, and 3) provides an overview of pathways to charger installation. It also provides a list of financial resources to support EV purchases and home charging.
Left: RadRafe, Wikipedia (Public Domain); Right: Marcela Gara, Resource Media, EE Image Database (CC BY-NC 2.0)