‘We’re the real shit!’ Low-income groups’ unequal access to green mobility transitions in Norway
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23311302 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ragnar Nae (0000-0001-5258-2346, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, corresponding author), Robert Næss (Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)), Sara Heidenreich (0000-0003-2524-8080, Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Ruth Woods (0000-0003-0776-0910, Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Gisle Solbu (0000-0003-3432-1382, Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Nora Kristiansson (0009-0002-8232-8140, Norwegian University of Science and Technology) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-18 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-25 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Mobilities (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1745-0101 • E-ISSN: 1745-011X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17450101.2026.2706569 |
| OpenAlex | W7171103084 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 44 |
This paper investigates the intersection of mobility justice and sustainability transitions, focusing on how low-income groups experience and navigate mobility challenges. Data was gathered through storytelling workshops (14) and individual interviews (22), involving a total of 73 participants from low-income groups in three Norwegian cities: Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim. Using the concept of motility to reframe mobility as a form of social capital, our analysis shows how these groups are unable to appropriate any of the benefits offered by transitions towards low-carbon mobility, and instead face barriers like limited access to new technology, subsidies, and public infrastructure, at the same time as they are not being rewarded for their low-emission travel modes. Accordingly, the paper highlights a tension within Norway’s sustainability transitions strategy, showing how progress in technology diffusion, such as electric vehicle adoption, has resulted in an uneven distribution of benefits and a marginalisation of alternative low-carbon mobility. We argue for a shift in transport policy toward equity-focused measures, including targeted support for mature and low-cost technologies like e-bikes, improving the affordability and everyday flexibility of public transport, and establishing more inclusive planning processes.
Consumption (sociology) · Field (mathematics) · Inequality · Mobilities · Work (physics) · Older Adults Driving Studies · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Urban Transport and Accessibility
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |