Washington adopts plan for transition to zero-emission vehicles
The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission voted on December 29, 2023 to require all new cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the state to meet zero-emission standards, while the Washington Department of Ecology updated its Clean Vehicles Program to require all new, light-duty vehicles sold in the state to meet zero emissions by that year. A release from the Oregon state government says that the rules build on regulations that have been in place since 2005 to lay the groundwork for automakers to produce zero-emission vehicles, which include full battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. “With today’s adoption of the [Advanced Clean Cars] II Rule, all those living in Oregon will benefit from the cleaner air and improved public health outcomes achieved by reducing pollution from transportation,” said Leah Feldon, the interim director of the commission. A Washington state Department of Ecology release says most major automakers are already increasing their production of zero-emission vehicles, and some have committed to having 100 percent zero-emission vehicles for new car sales by 2035. The new rules will require automakers to start the shift toward zero-emission vehicles with model year 2026, gradually increasing the proportion until it reaches 100 percent in 2035.