The Challenge: Increase Clean Transportation Access and Decrease Transportation Burdens
In Massachusetts, transportation currently produces more greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector. However, access to alternative clean transportation options and burdens from existing transportation emissions are not distributed equally across the Commonwealth. Low-income residents, people of color, and people living in Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs) or Gateway Cities are more likely to be exposed to poor air quality and often lack the geographical, educational, and/or financial resources to access cleaner transportation alternatives.
About ACT4All
The Accelerating Clean Transportation for All (ACT4All) Program piloted equity-focused transportation programs that increase clean transportation access and decrease existing transportation burdens for underserved and overburdened communities across the Commonwealth. MassCEC offered Planning Grants to non-profits and community organizations as a means of building organizational capacity. In the Spring of 2022, MassCEC awarded $5 million for 10 projects addressing e-bike incentives, EV consumer education, ride-for-hire electrification and incentives, and e-cargo bike delivery. For more information, see the press release.
The lessons learned from ACT4All informed the launch of ACT4All Round 2 in 2024.
2021-2022
Topic Areas and Participants
Applicant teams were strongly encouraged to include a team member that is trusted by and/or operates within a Priority Population community(s), such as a community-based organization, transportation or climate advocacy organization, a regional planning council.
Eligible project topic areas for Round 1 included:
- Pilot Incentive Programs
- E-bikes
- Vehicles-For-Hire and Carsharing
- High-Impact Vehicle Retirement
- Broadening the Base of Electric Vehicle Consumers
- Innovative Models for High-Mileage, Low-Radius Fleets
Sample Awardees
Green Energy Consumers Alliance and Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. (QARI)
Awarded $314,630
Green Energy Consumers Alliance and Quincy Asian Resources Institute are conducting a comprehensive educational campaign and outreach program around clean and healthy transportation options including electric vehicles.
Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (Massbike)
Awarded $439,295
MassBike is leading a team including the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, community-based organizations, and the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission to deploy e-bikes to low-income residents throughout Worcester. MassBike will also explore e-bike education initiatives and grow the community interest in clean transportation programs. Learn more here.
Soldier On, Inc.
Awarded $152,327
Soldier On, a Berkshire Region-based transportation organization, will switch over part of their diesel fleet vehicles to low-carbon alternatives. The project will result in the provision of clean transportation access to homeless military veterans, Medicaid recipients, low-income, and Environmental Justice populations.
Press Coverage
Boston to launch e-cargo bike pilot aimed at small business deliveries (Smart Cities Dive)
Massachusetts program funds strategies pairing equity and clean transportation (Energy News Network)
Mass Awards $5million for Clean Transportation Projects (GBH)
How Massachusetts is Getting Electric Vehicles, E-bikes to Low-Income Populations (Wicked Local/USA Today)
Mass Clean Energy Center Awards $3 Million to New E-Bike Subsidy Programs (Streets Blog Mass)
Green Energy Consumers and QARI QATV Interview (AM Quincy with Joe Catalano)
Grants explore equitable, scalable approaches to promoting electric vehicles (MassMobility)