Pollution

Colorado Adopts Zero-Emission Vehicle Standard

​In an 8-1 vote, Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission approved adopting a zero-emission vehicle standard for the state.

Colorado Adopts Zero-Emission Vehicle Standard
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Article by Ahmed Jawadi
SMS
August 16, 2019

Colorado has become the latest state to require automakers to sell more electric vehicles.

In an 8-1 vote on Friday, Colorado's Air Quality Control Commission approved adopting a zero-emission vehicle standard. The new rule doesn't force consumers to buy electric vehicles, but "requires automakers to sell more than 5% zero-emission vehicles by 2023," with that number increasing to more than 6% by 2025.

In response to the vote, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement: "In one of my first executive orders as governor, I asked for the Department of Public Health and Environment to increase the choices Coloradans have when it comes to purchasing electric cars by increasing the number of models available in our state, and we got it done within a few short months. It's only the beginning. Colorado must continue to reduce smog and increase consumer choice."

This makes Colorado the 11th state to adopt zero-emission standards.

Last week, the EPA determined that Denver failed to meet federal ozone standards and said the state must come up with a new plan to improve the air quality.