Fleet Electrification: A Strategy Toward Environmental Justice
“Environmental justice embraces the principle that all people in communities are entitled to equal protection of our environmental laws… People have the right to a clean, healthy, sustainable environment without regard to race, color, national origin.”
We know that Dr. Bullard’s vision of environmental justice is not the world we live in today. In the United States, communities of color are exposed to higher levels of air pollution at every income level, leading in turn to a disproportionate variety of health problems.
At this year’s Green Transportation Summit and Expo (GTSE) in Tacoma, Washington, Breaking Barriers Collaborative Program Manager Emily Pinckney led a session digging into the state of environmental injustice today – and the ways that businesses can transition their fleets to electric with a focus on reducing harm to those most impacted in their communities. Here are some takeaways from her presentation.
Who “breathes” the burden of air pollution?
Hispanic and Black Americans are, on average, exposed to 60% more pollution than they produce. Non-Hispanic White Americans, on the other hand, are exposed to 17% less pollution than they produce.
The white clean air advantage: pollution and exposure disparities by race. Image source: justsolutionscollective.org
These inequitable outcomes today are deeply rooted in racist urban planning policies. In the mid-20th century, the United States Federal Government officially encouraged redlining: a practice of preventing Black Americans from purchasing homes in certain areas. Federal and local governments drew city maps divided into desirable sections where white home ownership was encouraged, while Black Americans and other groups were pushed into housing projects and less desirable areas.
Map of Seattle showing the correlation between redlined neighborhoods (on the right) and present-day air pollution. Image source: Seattle Times
Due to this historical discrimination and high housing costs, low-income and minority neighborhoods are clustered around industrial sites, ports, and other air pollution hot spots. Residents living and working in these areas are exposed to high levels of diesel and other pollutants from medium and heavy duty vehicles — and these emissions have increased by over 80% in the past 30 years.
Commercial fleets using gas-powered vehicles are no small part of this problem: delivery routes, depots, and storage facilities are also concentrated in communities of color.
Making an impact with fleet electrification
Today, many businesses and organizations that operate fleets are considering transitioning to electric vehicles: not only because of the significant financial benefits, but also because of their commitment to their communities and employees.
The impact of this change is significant: a recent study found that when the number of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) increased in a given zip code, local air pollution levels and asthma-related emergency room visits dropped. However, the adoption of ZEVs was considerably slower in low-resource zip codes – what the researchers refer to as the “adoption gap.”
That disparity points to an opportunity for businesses with fleets to pursue environmental justice. As businesses consider making the transition to electric vehicles, they can focus on electrifying the fleets that frequent neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by pollution.
Free resources to support data-driven, equitable fleet electrification
To adopt a data-driven approach to equitable fleet electrification, businesses can start by looking at their vehicle routes, delivery stops, depots, and storage facilities.
After you have an idea of where your fleets are frequently passing through, you can use these free online resources to compare that with data about neighborhoods that are heavily impacted by pollution – and reference areas of overlap to prioritize electrifying vehicles that will have the greatest impact.
Washington State Department of Health’s Tracking Network
Map overlaying diesel exhaust emissions with racial demographics in Tacoma, WA neighborhoods
What it is: The Health Tracking Network provides extensive environmental public health information for regions across Washington State. Users can explore many layers of data, including racial demographics, risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and areas of pollution and disproportionate impacts.
How to use it: For a comprehensive picture of the health of a given area in Washington, this is a great place to start.
Overburdened Communities of Washington State
Map of Washington State census tracts where communities are most vulnerable to pollution
What it is: The Overburdened Communities of Washington State map merges multiple data sources to identify census tracts where vulnerable populations face cumulative environmental and health impacts. One of its primary uses is to ensure equitable expenditures of funds towards environmental justice in these areas.
How to use it: Businesses can use this tool to get deeper insights into their community’s demographics and their unique environmental challenges.
Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool (EJScreen)
Map showing diesel particulate matter levels in the greater Portland, OR area
What it is: EJScreen provides nationwide data combining environmental and socioeconomic indicators. (Note: This resource was formerly hosted by the EPA. As of February 2025 it has been removed from the EPA website, but has been copied and preserved here by the Public Environmental Data Partners.)
How to use it: EJScreen can provide valuable insights for businesses that operate across state lines.
Geospatial Energy Mapper (GEM)
Map showing charging stations and Federal Highway Administration designated electric vehicle corridors in the Eugene, OR area
What it is: GEM, created by the US Department of Energy, is a comprehensive mapping tool that helps to identify areas that are suitable for alternative power generation, including electric.
How to use it: Business owners can use this tool to locate electric vehicle charging corridors and direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations, and their proximity to their business.
Accelerate your equitable fleet transition
Switching to electric can feel daunting for any business owner. Our Fleet Decarbonization Accelerator can help you make the transition, with an eye to making the transition in an equitable way.
The Fleet Decarbonization Accelerator is a cohort-based program where participants learn directly from specialists how to make the switch to electric vehicles — including considerations for integrating equity into the fleet decarbonization plans participants develop throughout the course of the program.
Want to learn more? Get in touch and see how we can help you transition to an all-electric fleet through the Fleet Decarbonization Accelerator.