DEP To Propose New Regulation To Require Automakers To Offer Electric Vehicles For Sale In PA
On February 19, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is drafting new regulations, under the direction of Gov. Tom Wolf, to require automakers to offer electric vehicles for sale in Pennsylvania as part of its PA Clean Vehicles Program.
The change would require automakers to include light-duty electric vehicles as a percentage of their model offerings.
The proposed amendment would make Pennsylvania the ninth state in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions to adopt a new light-duty zero emissions vehicle percentage requirement for automakers.
The rule revision would help ensure that automakers offer for sale in Pennsylvania new zero emissions electric vehicle models that otherwise would be offered in surrounding states that have a requirement.
“Our transportation decisions affect Pennsylvania today and tomorrow. We can turn in the direction of healthier air quality and slow down climate change by switching to electric vehicles, whether we’re government officials, business owners, school administrators, community leaders, or individual consumers,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “DEP is committed to supporting this choice by increasing public knowledge of electric vehicles, making it easier for consumers to find electric models, and helping to expand charging infrastructure.”
Transportation generates 47 percent of nitrogen oxide and 21 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in Pennsylvania.
Carbon dioxide emissions are the leading cause of climate change, and nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which affects the health of children, older people, people with lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema, and people who work or are active outdoors.
DEP’s Bureau of Air Quality has begun rule and program development and anticipates presenting the proposed rule for consideration to the Environmental Quality Board in the fall.
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