Sacramento incentivises residents to use EVs car share

“This project is another example of how Sacramento is leading with equity and innovation to advance clean transportation,” said Rachel Patten, the City’s climate action lead. “By taking a data-driven approach, we’re ensuring our climate investments deliver real benefits for the communities that need them most.”

As part of the project, the City has installed 67 EV chargers at 13 public locations, primarily in historically underserved neighbourhoods, to expand access for residents who may not be able to charge at home or work.

The Department of Public Works led the installation of these new chargers at libraries, community centres and parks across Sacramento, closing gaps in the existing charging network and helping make electric vehicle access more convenient for residents.

“This pilot has been strongly utilised by library patrons, which really shows the community’s demand for zero-emission mobility options”

In addition to expanding electric car share and public charging access, the EV Blueprint project also supported a time-limited e-bike lending pilot programme through the Sacramento Public Library. Launched in 2023, the pilot aimed to introduce residents to electric-assist biking as an alternative to driving for short local trips.

After two years of lending e-bikes at four library sites across the city, the pilot will conclude as planned, with the last day to check out an e-bike on 6 December.

“This pilot has been strongly utilised by library patrons, which really shows the community’s demand for zero-emission mobility options,” said Patten.

“It achieved exactly what we set out to do: test the viability of shared e-mobility and understand what works and what doesn’t. Throughout the programme, we gathered valuable data on user behaviour, trip patterns, interest in electric mobility and the operational challenges that come with a shared fleet. All of that information will guide our future investments and help us design more scalable, sustainable models.”

The EV Blueprint Implementation Project was made possible through partnerships with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Sacramento Public Library, Zipcar, SacBreathe, and the California Energy Commission.