Driving Green: Clean Cars & Electric Vehicles
Zero Emission Vehicles: Clean Cars of the Future
Transitioning to cleaner vehicles is necessary to meet Connecticut’s goals under the state’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy and Global Warming Solutions Act. Entirely battery-powered EVs and fuel cell vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions and are known as zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). Even factoring in the pollution from the electricity used to power battery electric vehicles in Connecticut, they are more than 70% cleaner than conventional cars, and plug-in hybrids are significantly cleaner too. A switch to these vehicles not only cuts down on GHG emissions, but also on the health impacts and costs of local air pollution.
Additionally, Connecticut’s Clean Cars Statute requires ZEVs to make up 15 percent of sales in the state by 2025. California, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, and other states have already successfully increased the market share of ZEVs by creating incentives. Connecticut should do the same and become a national leader in promoting these clean vehicles.
Why We Need ZEV Incentives
More than a quarter million Americans are now driving ZEVs, but we have a long way to go for them to become mainstream. ZEVs currently cost more than comparable gas-powered vehicles. A federal rebate of up to $7,500 exists, but ZEVs are still unaffordable for many consumers. A Connecticut rebate or sales tax exemption of $2,500 to $5,000 on car purchase or lease will make ZEVs cost-competitive.
Incentives can also help expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Connecticut is now a "range confident" state and will soon have an impressive 187 EV charging stations. But many more are needed in a variety of locations to meeting growing demand. Tax exemptions for businesses that install charging stations would expand the state’s charging network.
Other incentives to get more ZEVs on the road in Connecticut include preferential parking, unrestricted access to HOV lanes, and requiring reduced electricity costs for nighttime charging when electricity demand is low. In addition to these incentives, we should also update the building code to facilitate EV charging infrastructure, ensure the electrical grid is prepared for increased charging, streamline the municipal permitting process, and ask the state to lead by example by purchasing ZEVs for its fleets.
Clean Car Laws
Automobiles are responsible for approximately 40% of the state's climate change pollution, so we have helped cut emissions from the transportation sector by instituting Clean Car standards and expanding Connecticut's public transit network.
In 2004, we advocated for the Clean Cars Act to bring California's strict vehicle emissions standards to Connecticut and help clean our air.
A few years later, we supported the creation of a program to label automobiles with an emissions score.
Consumer education is critical to combating climate change and with properly-labeled vehicles, car buyers can choose a model that is not only right for them but also right for the environment.
In 2016 we helped pass a law that requires better data collection on EV sales and registrations, fair access to public charging stations for all EV drivers, EV charging stations be exempt from burdensome public utility regulations, utility companies implement EV time of day rates, and electric distribution companies to better account for EV sales and potential for EV batteries to provide energy storage to the electric grid.
And in 2017, we're coordinating with other environmental, health, and labor groups to influence the state’s plan to spend the Environmental Mitigation Trust funds Connecticut will receive from the VW Settlement.
We're also partnering with members of the CT EV Coalition to help pass HB 7097, a bill that would allow direct sales of electric vehicles in Connecticut, and are continuing to raise awareness around the importance of electrifying the transportation sector.
Vehicle Information and Links
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Facts and Myths about EVs
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2014 Multi-State Memorandum of Understanding
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US EPA Fuel Economy
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CT DEEP EV Connecticut
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Volkswagen settlement from emmissions cheat: Connecticut info, EPA info.
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Letter to Volkswagen
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Comments on Volkswagen Mitigation Plan
Connecticut is now a "range confident" state, meaning a majority of ZEV drivers can find a charging station within twenty miles. Most of the stations are concentrated along I-95 and around Hartford. Check out the map to find a charging station near you!
A sample Vehicle Emission Control Information label
