NRDC Blog: Gov Polis Takes Bold Action to Advance EVs and Clean Air
https://us.vocuspr.com/Publish/2531753/vcsPRAsset_2531753_159060_96befcb8-dca5-4b74-9408-2525b5ab97ca_0.jpg Good afternoon, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis today took a dramatic step toward reducing carbon pollution and addressing climate change in the Centennial State. Polis told state regulators to set a standard to increase the availability of electric vehicles and pledged to expand electric-charging infrastructure. This is among the biggest steps a Mountain West state has taken to address climate change. The action is important because: · It’s the first major action Polis has taken as governor and is being done with bipartisan support; · Colorado is a state with a long history of oil and gas production; · it’s one more state taking action to address climate change while the federal government tries to deny its seriousness; · transportation passed electricity generation and is now the largest source of carbon emissions nationally. NRDC experts Noah Long and Simon Mui write in a new blog (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/simon-mui/gov-polis-takes-bold-action-advance-evs-and-clean-air) : “While much remains to be done in the coming months, this direction in the governor’s first days illustrates how states are stepping up to address climate change while the Trump administration drives dangerously in reverse.�?? Read the full blog here (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/simon-mui/gov-polis-takes-bold-action-advance-evs-and-clean-air) for details on Polis’s executive order and what it means for Colorado – and the nation. If you would like to talk to Noah or Simon, please contact Mark Drajem at mdrajem@nrdc.org (mailto:mdrajem@nrdc.org) or (202) 297-5444. Thanks, Emily EXPERT BLOG (https://www.nrdc.org/blogs)  › SIMON MUI (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/simon-mui)   NOAH LONG (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/noah-long)  ** Governor Polis Takes Bold Action to Advance EVs and Clean Air ------------------------------------------------------------ January 17, 2019 Simon Mui (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/simon-mui)   Noah Long (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/noah-long)  ** Colorado's new governor is starting out the new year with a plan to reduce transportation carbon emissions to protect the environment and public health. ------------------------------------------------------------ https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_content--retina/public/media-uploads/coloradoev_8103759629_fe2818436b_2400.jpg?itok=PvsDYKr5 Dennis Schroeder/National Renewable Energy Laboratory Colorado is set to establish itself as a national leader on clean transportation with the executive order today from Governor Jared Polis to spur sales of electric vehicles. The executive order, one of the first actions by the new governor, directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to establish a Zero Emission Vehicle program. The order also directs state officials to tap funds provided by Volkswagen resulting from its Dieselgate scandal to construct  vehicle-charging infrastructure and expand use of zero-emitting buses (https://www.nrdc.org/stories/these-coloradans-want-ditch-their-diesel-school-buses)  and trucks. The action by Polis is among the most important actions to date by a Mountain West leader to cut carbon pollution from transportation, the biggest source of those emissions nationally. While much remains to be done in the coming months, this direction from the top in the governor’s first days underscores the importance of this issue. Governor Polis was joined today by Senator Kevin Priola (R-Adams County), business leaders, utilities, conservation groups and a broad range of stakeholders demonstrating how the desire to spur innovation and tackle climate change can cross partisan lines. While much remains to be done in the coming months, this direction in the governor’s first days illustrates how states are stepping up to address climate change while the Trump administration drives dangerously (https://www.vox.com/2018/11/26/18112505/national-climate-assessment-2018-trump)  in reverse on these issues. https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_content--retina/public/media-uploads/gov_polis_eo.jpg?itok=wCg98i6f Governor Polis announcing the executive order The Alliance Center, Denver, Colorado ** More Choices of Electric Vehicle Models, More Fuel Savings ------------------------------------------------------------ Following up on last year’s adoption by the state of greenhouse gas emission standards for passenger cars and trucks, Polis’s action directs CDPHE to a propose a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) rule by May for potential subsequent adoption. In doing so, Colorado will join with ten other states across the U.S. that have already adopted a ZEV program.  The standard requires automakers to ensure that they make available sufficient electric vehicle models to result in approximately 9 percent of the passenger vehicles sold being electric-drive by 2025. The standard would help ensure that automakers – which have announced their intention to introduce new electric models – will offer them for sale in Colorado. Several studies (here (https://content.sierraclub.org/creative-archive/sites/content.sierraclub.org.creative-archive/files/pdfs/1371%20Rev%20Up%20EVs%20Report_09_web.pdf)  and here (https://thinkprogress.org/car-companies-are-not-promoting-selling-electric-vehicles-854eb5ea496a/) ) have found that some automakers are only offering electric vehicle models in select markets -- typically those that have adopted ZEV standards. For example, Coloradans are currently unable (https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/05/subaru-crosstrek-plug-bad-news-colorado-good-news-vermont/)  to purchase the popular Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid. Automakers have stated their intent or plans to introduce 80 unique models of battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicles by 2021, according to industry analysts Baum & Associates. Twenty of these offerings will be in the sport utility vehicles and crossover segments that are popular in Colorado. In addition, new startups and companies such Workhorse, Rivian, and Tesla are developing full-size utility vehicles and pick-up trucks – leading to companies like Ford announcing (https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2019/01/16/ford-f-150-electric-pickup-truck/2595515002/)  their intention to build an electric F-series pickup truck. https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_content--retina/public/media-uploads/workhorse_w-15_0.jpg?itok=Rm-JhcCm All-electric pickup truck Workhorse W-15 While some in the auto industry is moving in this direction, this nascent market needs the prodding from the state to help it gain momentum. The ZEV program will help ensure that all automakers will bring their products to Colorado and more actively market electric vehicles.  Automakers and dealers have plenty of time to start preparing, as the ZEV standards in Colorado would begin in model year 2023. ** Kids and Adults Will Breathe Easier Thanks to More Electric Buses and Trucks ------------------------------------------------------------ As a result of Volkswagen’s “Dieselgate�?? scandal, states like Colorado were provided with funds to help clean up dangerous pollution from the transportation industry. In the executive order today, Polis has said Colorado will use those funds for new vehicle-charging infrastructure, zero-emitting buses (https://www.nrdc.org/stories/these-coloradans-want-ditch-their-diesel-school-buses)  and trucks. Colorado has more than $68 million from the VW settlement to spend on cleaner transportation actions.  https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_content--retina/public/media-uploads/coloradoev_915457860_2400.jpg?itok=A1nnuyJU Hybrid bus on 16th Street in downtown Denver iStock As other diesel truck and SUV manufacturers come under scrutiny (https://www.hbsslaw.com/blog/hagens-berman-blog/post/auto-news-fiat-chrysler-and-mercedes-benz-emissions-cheating)  for violating emission requirements, policymakers are increasingly looking to ensure settlement funds go to cheat-proof, zero emission vehicles. Today’s executive order provides the state with additional direction around supporting electric trucks and buses, such as those supported by Protégete, a group running the Clean Buses for Healthy Niños (http://origin.lcv.org/chispa/clean-buses-healthy-ninos/) campaign. It is working with school districts to upgrade their diesel school buses to electric ones, particularly in communities of color and low-income areas that suffer disproportionately from air pollution (see this  story (https://www.nrdc.org/stories/these-coloradans-want-ditch-their-diesel-school-buses)  by our colleague Corey Binns). https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_content--retina/public/media-uploads/clean_buses_health_ninos_0.jpg?itok=siqtPD2u Clean Buses for Healthy Niños ** Colorado's EV Plan To Create A Ubiquitous Fueling Network and Save $43 Billion ------------------------------------------------------------ Governor Polis has also called upon the state to continue its leadership efforts through REV, a regional body of states working to “electrify�?? interstate highways in the Intermountain States by establishing charging stations to allow EVs to refuel. As fast-charging technology advances to allow ultra-fast refueling (https://autoweek.com/article/technology/bmw-and-porsche-promise-three-minute-ev-charging) , and a network of charging stations stretches across the U.S., driving electric vehicles is becoming the easiest, cleanest and lowest-cost alternative for more and more consumers. As my colleague Max Baumhefner has blogged on (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/max-baumhefner/colorado-releases-welcome-plan-boost-electric-vehicles) , Coloradans stand to reap $43 billion in potential benefits from widespread adoption of EVs by 2050, according to a recent economic analysis by the consultancy MJ Bradley. This includes $4 billion for electric utility customers in the form of reduced electric bills, $29 billion to drivers in the form of reduced vehicle operating costs, and nearly $10 billion in value from reduced GHG emissions. Adding the savings from reduced public health costs (not included) would grow those benefits even more.  Today's announcement by the Governor sets Colorado firmly on course to a cleaner, more affordable, and climate-friendly future. ** ABOUT THE AUTHORS ------------------------------------------------------------ https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/headshot_small/public/20180418_simon_mui_0421bwfinal_1080x1080.jpg?itok=UpuzGSn8 (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/simon-mui) ** SIMON MUI (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/simon-mui) ------------------------------------------------------------ Senior Scientist, Climate & Clean Energy Program https://assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/headshot_small/public/noah-long-450_0.jpg?itok=KttIHFTL (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/noah-long) ** NOAH LONG (https://www.nrdc.org/experts/noah-long) ------------------------------------------------------------ Director, Interior West and Northwest, Climate & Clean Energy Program Emily deanne Communications Assistant NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL 1152 15^TH STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20005 T 202-717-8288 M 860-318-6636 edeanne@NRDC.ORG (mailto:JBENZAK@NRDC.ORG)   NRDC.ORG (http://www.nrdc.org/)  Please save paper. Think before printing. ______________________ If you would rather not receive future communications from Natural Resources Defense Council, please go to http://NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil.pr-optout.com/OptOut.aspx?2531753x68158x221127x1x4946404x24000x6&Email=submit%40theautochannel.com. Natural Resources Defense Council, 1152 15th St NW Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005 United States
