University of California Institute of Transportation Studies

Households in marginalized areas of rural California contend with difficult transportation challenges resulting from infrequent transit service, limited access to app-based rideshare services, and higher vehicle ownership costs associated with long travel distances. In 2014, researchers at the University of California, Davis partnered with the San Joaquin Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization to engage with stakeholders to understand the challenges facing rural residents and develop solutions for improving mobility while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One outcome of this work was the creation of an electric vehicle (EV) carsharing service known as Míocar. Míocar launched in 2019 and now has 27 vehicles located in eight affordable housing complexes in Tulare and Kern counties. Míocar provides a transportation option that helps to improve the mobility of individuals and households in marginalized communities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing reliance on conventional personal vehicles.