June 10, 2023
Today, Gov. Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 184 into law, establishing the Nevada Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive Program. Sponsored by Assemblyman Howard Watts, the law will accelerate access and adoption of medium and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles – which range from delivery vans and garbage trucks to school buses and semi-trucks – for Nevadan businesses and public entities. The bill received support from a broad range of businesses and organizations and passed with nearly unanimous, bipartisan votes.
The Nevada Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive Program will utilize federal funds through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to help Nevada’s business and public fleets access new technology that reduces operational costs while cleaning up the air and providing significant improvements in public health. Nevada businesses will benefit from the reduced fueling and maintenance costs of zero-emission vehicles, as well as a lesser upfront cost to purchase the vehicle(s). And the public will benefit from a reduction in transportation-related air pollution. MHD trucks and buses make up only 5% of all vehicles on the road, yet they are responsible for 30% of vehicle pollution and up to half of other harmful pollution that causes asthma, lung maladies, and cardiovascular diseases. This program will put more zero-emission vehicles on Nevada’s roads, providing cleaner, healthier air for all.
Nevada is leading the way to a clean transportation future that promotes economic opportunities and healthy communities. Most importantly, this legislation directly addresses the detrimental impact of truck pollution in our lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color which are most often located near major roadways and warehouses. We’re proud to see the state’s commitment to getting these harmful emissions off our roads and out of our communities by supporting Nevada’s businesses, schools, and public agencies to make the transition to zero-emission trucks and buses. And we are grateful for Assemblyman Watts’ steadfast commitment to this bill and the incredible support received by the Legislature to get it to Gov. Lombardo’s desk today.
AB 184 earmarks 35%, or about $4 million per year, from the Carbon Reduction Program – a new guaranteed federal funding source aimed at reducing climate pollution from transportation – to provide incentives that lower the cost of medium and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles. These incentives allow buyers to unlock long-term savings on vehicle fueling and maintenance while meeting the federal program’s goal of reducing air pollution. The Nevada Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive Program is also well-positioned to leverage additional federal funding via competitive grants, bringing even more resources into the state. It is specifically designed to support Nevada’s small business owners, fleets in underserved communities, and electrification of school and transit buses.
The Nevada Clean Trucks and Buses Incentive Program (AB 184) passed the Assembly unanimously on May 31, and 18-2 in the Senate on June 3.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Inaba, 775-430-4644, jennifer.inaba@westernresources.org
