LOGISTICS DECARBONIZATION IN STRATEGIC EJ40 AREAS (LODESTAR) LOGISTICS DECARBONIZATION IN STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREAS (LODESTAR) THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT, LOGISTICS DECARBONIZATION IN STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AREAS (LODESTAR), SEEKS TO DEMONSTRATE AND DOCUMENT THE INNOVATIVE USE CASE FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO ADOPT ELECTRIC DELIVERY VANS THAT SERVE URBAN, SUBURBAN AND RURAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ) AREAS AND PROVIDE A HOLISTIC SOLUTION TO DISTRIBUTION CENTER ELECTRIFICATION THAT INCORPORATES ELECTRIFICATION OF BOTH THE FREIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITY. LODESTAR WILL UPLIFT EJ AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE LAST MILE LEADERSHIP (LML) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT WILL INVEST IN STUDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO WISH TO STUDY OR DEPLOY CLEAN TRANSPORTATION. THE OUTCOME OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE A DEMONSTRATION OF MEDIUM DUTY LAST MILE DISTRIBUTION IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES WHICH WILL INCREASE MARKET AWARENESS AND REDUCE ADOPTION STRESS POINTS BY PROVIDING A PRACTICAL APPLICATION AND COSTS.