Why Clean Car Standards?

During this session of the General Assembly, Virginia has its best opportunity in years to advance transportation electrification. Although electric vehicles (EVs) are no silver bullet to our climate crisis, they represent a critical piece of the puzzle in our clean transportation future.

Virginia currently ranks 23rd in its adoption of EVs, with less than two percent of all new auto sales being either all-electric cars or hybrids. The typical car emits more than 11,000 pounds of carbon per year. In contrast, the amount of electricity required for the same amount of EV driving emits just a quarter of that amount. This improvement of local air quality thanks to EVs results in lower incidences of asthma, heart attacks, strokes, early deaths, harm to pregnant mothers and babies, and other illnesses exacerbated by particulate matter and ground-level ozone pollution.

Air pollutants from transportation have major impacts on our health as well as our climate. They represent particular dangers to children, seniors, and those living near Virginia’s largest source of carbon emissions – heavily trafficked roads, which often run through low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.

“Transportation is Virginia’s largest source of carbon dioxide pollution. In fact, nearly half of Virginia’s carbon emissions (48%) come from the transportation sector. And 70% of that comes from personal-use vehicles, such as cars, SUVs and light-duty trucks. This means that nearly 34% of Virginia’s carbon emissions come from personal-use vehicles, compared to 29% coming from the entire power sector.” – Lena Lewis, The Nature Conservancy

House Bill 1965, sponsored by Del. Lamont Bagby, calls for adopting Clean Car Standards beginning in Model Year 2025. These standards include Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) requirements so that manufacturers reduce average emissions from their fleets over time as well as Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) requirements which will ensure that  Virginia receives more electric vehicles (EVs) at dealerships, making it easier for consumers to purchase cars that boast zero tailpipe pollution. Identical standards already have been adopted in 14 states, including Maryland, where many Virginians have to travel today to buy their EVs. With Clean Car Standards, that business will go to dealers right here in the Commonwealth.

“The bill will slash carbon pollution from Virginia’s biggest source — car exhaust pipes — by ensuring that automakers send Virginia dealers their cleaner, more tech-savvy cars, pickups, minivans and SUVs, starting with 2025 models. The same kinds already sold today in 35 percent of the U.S. auto market, in the more than 1 in 5 states that already require them.” – Walton Shepherd, NRDC

According to recent research, more than a third of Virginians would consider buying an EV for their next car but do not have EV options at their local dealership because manufacturers prioritize sending EVs to states that have already adopted Clean Car Standards. Once Virginia adopts ZEV standards, manufacturers will send more EVs to Virginia dealerships, expanding consumer choice, keeping automobile jobs in Virginia, reducing air pollution from transportation emissions, and improving human health.

REASONS TO SUPPORT HB1965

CLEAN CARS ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

  • Transportation accounts for 48% of all carbon emissions in Virginia.
  • Personal vehicles cause 70% of transportation carbon emissions (34% of total emissions).
  • Based on Virginia’s current electricity sources, carbon emissions are about 75% lower for EVs than for the average conventional car.
  • EVs are essential to swiftly reduce transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reach our climate goals.
Credit: The Nature Conservancy

Adopting Clean Car Standards Increases Consumer Choice and EV Affordability

  • Between a third and a half of Virginians are considering an  EV for their next car.
  • Manufacturers are primarily sending EVs to states that have adopted Clean Car Standards, so Virginians don’t have access to the array of nearly 100 electric car and truck models coming to the market by 2025.
  • The bill wouldn’t go into effect until 2025, which gives manufacturers and dealerships time to prepare. The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association supports Clean Car Standards.
  • EVs save consumers $6,000 to $10,000 over the lifetime of the vehicle compared to an equivalent gas-powered car.
  • Adoption of Clean Car Standards will create nearly 30,000 new jobs and drive more than $20B of investment in Virginia by 2040.

Clean Cars protect human health, particularly Communities of Color and vulnerable populations

  • Air pollution from transportation makes people susceptible to developing heart disease, strokes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses like asthma. Transportation emissions account for at least 92 deaths, 2,600 cases of exacerbated asthma, and 10,000 lost workdays in Virginia every year. Richmond in particular has the second highest rate of asthma in the US.
  • Air pollution health issues are particularly troubling for low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and vulnerable populations, where respiratory illness is correlated with higher exposure to emissions from fossil fuels. People of color are 3.2 times more likely to live in a county with a failing grade for unhealthy ozone days, particle pollution days and annual particle levels.
  • Health impacts from Virginian transportation emissions are valued at $750 million annually.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

HB1965 passed the General Assembly on Feb 19th and is on its way to the Governor’s desk!

Thank you to multiple Partners for their support of this bill: the Southern Environmental Law Center, The Nature Conservancy, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, Natural Resources Defense Council, Drive Electric RVA, the Community Climate Collaborative, and Generation 180.