The following subject matter work groups supported the creation of the N.C. Clean Transportation Plan. These volunteer groups were composed of a wide variety of public and private stakeholders. The work groups worked collaboratively over six months through a series of meetings to develop ideas leading to the creation of focused Work Group Plans that address known challenges and leverage opportunities.
The work groups are expected to continue their collaboration after the plan has been finalized. A set of work plans were created representing a specific set of activities that each work group’s stakeholders might choose to partake in to move the N.C. Clean Transportation Plan’s strategies forward.
Light-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles Plan
Light-duty zero emission vehicles generally refer to smaller vehicles, including personal cars and trucks with zero-emission characteristics.
This workgroup focuses on the opportunities to advance the transition of passenger cars and trucks to zero-emission vehicles. This may include:
- Informing consumers through modified education and outreach methods
- Providing incentives and affordable financing options
- Electrifying the state light-duty fleet, and supporting electrification of rideshare and rental car fleets.
Medium & Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles Plan
Medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicles generally refer to vehicles heavier than light-duty vehicles and typically include school buses, public transit buses, freight vehicles, and other fleet vehicles.
This workgroup focuses on the opportunities to transition delivery trucks, construction equipment and other large vehicles to zero-emission vehicles. This may include:
- Providing technical resources and assistance for securing grants for medium, heavy-duty zero emission vehicle advancements
- Supporting investment in charging stations that can accommodate medium, heavy-duty zero emission vehicles
- Identifying potential zero-emission delivery zones in vulnerable, traditionally underserved communities.
Fleet Transition Plan for Public & Private Vehicle Fleets
The Fleet Transition work group focuses on strategies to transition business or government fleet operations towards more zero- and low-emission vehicles. Strategies may include:
- Evaluating ways to decrease the cost of fleet transition
- Creating programs to assist business-owners – especially disadvantaged business owners – with the capital cost of transition
- Technical support and resources for fleet owners to secure fleet transition advancement opportunities.
Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Plan
Vehicle miles traveled per capita is used as a metric to evaluate the impact of new development projects on the transportation network and represents the total annual miles of vehicle travel divided by the total population. The Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction work group focuses on strategies to mitigate growing vehicle miles traveled per capita rates and leveraging Transportation Demand Management strategies – a set of strategies that provide travelers with transportation choices such as walking, scootering, biking (including e-bikes), taking public transportation or carpooling.
This work group’s strategies may include:
- Coordinating with other work groups to create a climate, health, equity, and vehicle miles traveled reduction rating system for use in planning and analysis
- Evaluating different programs to reduce or eliminate the 20% local funding match for non-highway projects
- Assisting with data collection and data sharing to improve quality of crash data and exposure data for rural and urban contexts
Clean Transportation Infrastructure Plan
The Clean Transportation Infrastructure work group focuses on strategies supporting Zero Emission Vehicles and alternative fuel infrastructure expansion to support the private and public fleet transition to zero- and low-emission vehicles. Strategies may include:
- Helping plan for additional charging and fueling sites to accommodate higher capacities in support of changing/increasing demand
- Supporting implementation of clean transportation infrastructure – including charging and fueling facilities – in traditionally underserved areas, multi-unit dwellings, and for consumers lacking off-street parking
- Coordinating with the other work groups to develop a zero-emission vehicle workforce development strategy providing electric vehicle maintenance and electrical infrastructure training programs