To fight climate change and improve air quality in the West, WRA is advancing policies to increase the use of electric vehicles, including larger vehicles like delivery vans, box trucks, buses, and 18-wheel tractor trailers—also known as medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Larger commercial vehicles tend to have an outsized impact on air quality compared with cars because trucks, vans, and buses often are powered by diesel fuel and emit more carbon pollution. A Clean Trucks standard will bring health benefits to Coloradans. Right now, diesel trucks are responsible for 59% of toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and 55% of poisonous particulate matter air pollution, despite only representing 10% of vehicles in Colorado. These fossil fuel vehicles are responsible for air pollution that causes asthma, lung cancer, and even premature death, especially in Colorado’s low-income and diverse communities.
Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) standards, which Colorado approved in April 2023, are one way to increase the use of electric trucks. This policy has been in the news in the state and across our region.
