A community-led transportation initiative in Vancouver is helping urban Indigenous residents gain access to electric vehicles and other sustainable transportation options.
The Clean Mobility Project, led by Create Climate Equity, has launched at a BC Indigenous Housing Society (BCIHS) housing site in downtown Vancouver. The pilot program aims to make clean transportation more affordable and accessible while increasing awareness of electric vehicle technology.
The project includes educational workshops, no-cost transit passes, ride-and-drive events, and access to a shared electric vehicle through a partnership with Modo. Residents can book the vehicle for personal use, while trained Community Ride Champions volunteer to provide rides for neighbours who are unable to drive.
The initiative is supported by Natural Resources Canada and delivered in partnership with Kambo Energy Group, the BC Indigenous Housing Society, and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association.
BCIHS CEO Brenda Knights says reliable and affordable transportation is closely linked to health, wellbeing, and opportunity for many tenants, adding that the project is focused on removing barriers and ensuring the transition to clean mobility is accessible to everyone.
Since a dedicated EV charger was installed at the housing site in March, nine residents have registered as drivers, including two Community Ride Champions. Organizers say more than 130 trips have already been completed, including multi-day journeys to visit family members.
The project is intended to serve as a model for equitable and community-driven transportation solutions in urban Indigenous communities.
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