Addressing charging poverty as a barrier to equitable transport decarbonization
Abstract We define “charging poverty” as the inability to afford or access sufficient, reliable, and socially inclusive electric vehicle charging. We develop a conceptual framework that structures recurring constraints into five dimensions: economic, spatial, functional, temporal, and digital, illustrated across a typology of users and associated indicators. We also propose a research agenda and policy responses to help identify, monitor, and address charging inequalities as transport electrification expands.
Authors
- Claudia Strambo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3673-5853)
- Maria Xylia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2896-8841)
- Jenny von Platten (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7568-3334)
- Björn Nykvist
Institutions
- Linköping University (SE)
- Lund University (SE)
- Stockholm Environment Institute (SE)
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology (SE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Sustainable Mobility and Transport
- Published
- 2026-09-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44333-026-00125-0
- Primary Topic
- Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete
- Stockholm Environment Institute
- Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan