Evaluating Equity in Distribution Grid Access with California’s Electric Vehicle Expansion

The transition to a decarbonized energy system is creating significant changes in the electricity distribution grid, particularly with the rapid uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). This study explores the equity implications of these changes by analyzing needed distribution grid upgrades across various communities in California. Utilizing real-world distribution grid data and detailed simulations of light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty EV charging behavior, we assess the spatial disparities in grid resource upgrade needs and utilization. Our findings show that by 2035, with the growth in EV charging demand, high-density residential areas are expected to have a higher fraction of feeders (neighborhood electric lines and transformers) that will need an upgrade. Additionally, communities with higher CalEnviroScreen scores (indicating greater pollution and socioeconomic burdens) generally exhibit lower EV adoption rates and are expected to have a higher share of feeders that will need to be upgraded, though with less extensive upgrades on average. Despite differences in capacity upgrade needs among different communities, the costs versus benefits from the upgraded distribution grid resources is expected to be quite proportional among different communities. While the top 20% disadvantaged communities utilize grid resources less than other communities due to their lower charging demand, the infrastructure upgrade costs in these communities are also lower.