On October 14, the Department of Environmental Protection presented a proposed regulation that would adopt California’s existing Zero Emission Vehicle Program that requires 22 percent of the new passenger and light duty vehicle fleets offered for sale in the state be zero emission vehicles starting in model year 2025.

The 22 percent requirement equals about six to eight percent of the entire vehicle fleet sold by large automakers.

The presentation was made to DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee and would make changes to DEP’s existing PA Clean Vehicles Program.

DEP said the proposed rule revision would help ensure that automakers offer for sale in Pennsylvania new zero emissions electric vehicle models that otherwise would be offered in surrounding states that have a requirement.

Eligible zero emission vehicles include: full electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen internal combustion engine, range extended battery electric vehicles and neighborhood electric vehicles.

In addition to the 22 percent passenger and light duty vehicle requirement, the proposed regulation will also add a greenhouse gas fleet average requirement for Pennsylvania sales.

There is no ban on traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

DEP hopes to get the proposed regulation to the Environmental Quality Board for action during the first quarter of 2022.

Click Here for a copy of DEP’s presentation.  Click Here a copy of draft regulation changes.  Questions should be directed to Chris Trostle, Mobile Sources Section, 717-772-3926 or send email to: dtrostle@pa.gov.

For available handouts, visit DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee webpage.

Previous Announcement

This initiative was originally announced in February by DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell who said, “Our transportation decisions affect Pennsylvania today and tomorrow. We can turn in the direction of healthier air quality and slow down climate change by switching to electric vehicles, whether we're government officials, business owners, school administrators, community leaders, or individual consumers.

“DEP is committed to supporting this choice by increasing public knowledge of electric vehicles, making it easier for consumers to find electric models, and helping to expand charging infrastructure.”

Transportation generates 47 percent of nitrogen oxide and 21 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in Pennsylvania.

Carbon dioxide emissions are the leading cause of climate change, and nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which affects the health of children, older people, people with lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema, and people who work or are active outdoors.

Electric Vehicle Roadmap

The Pennsylvania Electric Vehicle Roadmap, released in 2019 by the DEP-led Pennsylvania Drive Electric Coalition, documented that while Pennsylvanians are increasingly interested in the option of replacing their gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle with a zero emission vehicle, many people have only slight knowledge of electric vehicles, and opportunities to test drive and purchase them in state are limited.

The DEP Energy Programs Office recently released Electric Vehicle Roadmap: 2021 Update to help meet the need for more widely available information.

This booklet presents an overview of the benefits and basics of electric vehicles; a statewide look at current electric vehicle use; tips for individual consumers; and actions that legislators, government offices, and business owners can take to make the switch to electric vehicles.

It’s free for public use and distribution.

Grants/Rebates

Here are currently open opportunities for clean vehicle grant and rebate programs--

November 12-- DEP Driving PA Forward Onroad Rebate Program

December 31-- DEP Alternative Fueled Vehicle Rebates (apply anytime)

December 31-- DEP Fast Charging Hydrogen Fueling Grants (first-come, first-served)

December 31-- DEP Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rebates (apply anytime)

Related Articles - Reducing Transportation Emissions:

-- Senate Committee OKs Bill To Encourage Development Of Clean Vehicle Infrastructure- Electric, Natural Gas, Hydrogen

-- Report: PA Could Leverage 350 Company Electric Vehicle Supply Chain As Part Of COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan

-- Pennsylvania, 14 States, DC Sign MOU To Zero Out Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Trucks By 2050

-- 3 States, D.C Sign On To Regional Transportation Climate Initiative: PA Does Not Sign, But Commits To Individual Actions To Reduce Climate Changing Emissions From Transportation

-- PennDOT Opens P3 Partnership Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station In Monroe County

[Posted: October 14, 2021]

10/18/2021