Encourage Electric Vehicles (EV), Encourage Carshare, Unbundled Parking and Shared Parking, and a Transit First Policy

These four strategies focus on making it easier for people to buy electric vehicles, rent cars for short periods of time, and share parking. “Encourage Electric Vehicles” provides discounts on electric cars and creates more charging stations. “Encourage Carshare” allows people to rent cars for short periods of time to get around. “Unbundled Parking and Shared Parking” encourages transit and shares parking between businesses. A “Transit First Policy” prioritizes public transit, bicycling, and walking on city streets.

Strategy 23 : Encourage Electric Vehicles (EV)

Make it easier for more people to purchase and use electric vehicles, to help meet our air quality goals.

Example: Provide incentives, programs, and discounts to help people purchase EV, more charging stations available for everyone including commercial vehicles and taxi/ride hail vehicles.

Strategy 24: Encourage and allow carshare

Carshare is a car rental model where people are able to rent cars for shorter periods of time, often by the minute or hour.

Benefits: Enables users to access a vehicle when needed. Expands options for those who do not have the means to own/maintain a car. Families with multiple vehicles can consider downsizing.

Strategy 25: Unbundled Parking and Shared Parking

Bundled parking is when the cost of a parking space is included with other costs like rent. Since people have no choice but to pay for the parking space/cost, this can encourage driving. Requiring a minimum amount of parking in new developments can also add to the cost of development and lead to an oversupply of parking spots.

With shared parking, parking is shared between people with different needs at different times of the day or week, so that parking spaces are rarely empty. This means that fewer parking spaces are needed, and public space isn’t left unused. This will also encourage people to consider different travel options and can help reduce congestion. For example, a theater that is more active in the evening can share parking with an office building during the day.

Credit: Beverly Parking Study

Strategy 26: Transit First Policy

A Transit First Policy prioritizes public transit, bicycling, and walking on city streets. This can mean that whenever a street where transit operates is being planned, the effort needs to incorporate how to make transit faster and more useful. It also sets a minimum transit speed goal for streets where transit operates.