Colorado residents will urge the state to take the next major step towards vehicle electrification when the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) is scheduled to begin consideration of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program this Friday.
At a briefing in Denver this week, the national, non-partisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) joined electric vehicle (EV) advocates from across the state to celebrate the recent slate of EV bills passed by the Colorado legislature last week and unveil a new video on the current state and future of Colorado’s EV industry.
According to E2, the bills will help speed the state’s progress toward a clean transportation future, providing residents greater access to EV models and charging stations while creating thousands of new jobs.
The next step for Colorado’s transportation electrification could come as early as Friday when the AQCC is expected to initiate a formal rulemaking process to consider a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program. Adopting the ZEV program would require auto manufacturers to develop and market vehicles that emit no tailpipe pollution starting in model-year 2023 and increasing in later years.
Advocates estimate that the ZEV program would require about 8% of new vehicle sales in Colorado to be electric by 2025. If the commission votes yes, technical experts and the public will be able to weigh in on the proposed rule over the summer. The AQCC would then likely take a final up-or-down vote in mid-August.
There are currently 43 electric vehicle models available in the US and more are coming, including 21 electric SUV models over the next 2 years. Unfortunately, many Coloradans report being unable to purchase the EVs they want in-state because the vast majority of models are distributed to states with ZEV standards. According to E2, if Colorado adopts the ZEV program, it would be the 11th state to do so and the first non-coastal state.
The 4th Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference takes place May 13 – 15, 2019 in Denver. Learn more here.