October 22, 2021
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Carson City, Nevada – Western Resource Advocates today welcomed the Nevada Legislative Commission’s vote to approve a Clean Cars program, finalizing the administrative process initiated by Gov. Steve Sisolak for Nevada to join 14 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting a Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standard. “The Legislative Commission’s vote to finalize Governor Sisolak’s Clean Cars initiative will help move our state toward its goal of reducing the harmful fossil-fuel emissions that cause climate change,” said Matt Rubin, Western Resource Advocates’ Clean Energy Program analyst in Nevada. “Emissions from fossil-fuel vehicles are the top source of unhealthy air and climate pollution in Nevada and disproportionately harm low-income communities and those who live and work near highways and industrial areas. A Zero-Emission Vehicle standard will help our state reduce that pollution and act on climate change.” “A growing number of states across the West are realizing the environmental and economic benefits of adopting Zero-Emission Vehicle standards to reduce harmful fossil-fuel pollution from vehicles, and we appreciate Governor Sisolak’s leadership in bringing a Clean Cars rule to Nevada,” said Aaron Kressig, Western Resource Advocates’ transportation electrification manager. “By adopting a ZEV standard, Nevada will have access to purchasing a greater array of electric vehicle models and to the economic development opportunities of transportation electrification, all while addressing climate change.” Sisolak and Nevada environmental officials last year began the administrative process proposing the set of state regulations that will adopt the ZEV standard by 2024, as part of an effort to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. The Nevada regulations will set standards on exhaust emissions from new light-duty motor vehicles starting with model year 2025 and require an increasing percentage of new vehicle sales to be zero-emission vehicles. The crediting system Nevada adopted as part of its Clean Cars program also offers a promising model for other states contemplating adoption of ZEV standards. The Nevada plan allows manufacturers to receive early action credits for vehicle model years 2022, 2023, and 2024 and provides certainty to the auto industry while also ensuring the rule attains the maximum environmental benefits. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), the agency responsible for developing Nevada’s ZEV regulations, plans to revisit those regulations once California adopts its next-generation ZEV standards in 2022, ensuring Nevada’s program remains consistent with the updated rules, including provisions pertaining to the use of proportional credits. |
