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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29, 2014

NEWS RELEASE 14-45

CONTACT:

Dave Clegern
(916) 322-2990
DClegern@arb.ca.gov


8 state alliance releases plan to put 3.3 million zero emission
vehicles on the road

ZEV Action Plan is first benchmark for unprecedented bi-coastal
effort

Sacramento — Eight states located on the East and West Coasts
today released a collaborative Action Plan to develop
infrastructure, coordinated policies, codes and standards and a
consumer market primed to put 3.3 million zero emission vehicles
(ZEVs) on the road by 2025. The Multi-State ZEV Action Plan is
the first promised milestone for the bi-coastal collaboration to
pave the way for increasingly large numbers of the cleanest cars
in the nation. 


Collaboration is critical

The partner states are California, Connecticut, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Together they comprise about a quarter of the nation’s new car
sales.

"Today, we're putting a foot on the pedal to get more clean cars
on the road," said Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. "This is real
action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions." 

The governors of the 8 states began this latest collaboration
with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on October 24,
2013. The ultimate goal is to reduce greenhouse gas and
smog-causing emissions by transforming the transportation sector
over the next 11 years. Since the MOU signing, state regulators,
the auto industry and infrastructure developers and other
stakeholders have shared information and best practices to help
move this groundbreaking effort forward.

ZEVs include plug-in hybrids, battery electric and
hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles. To date,
manufacturers have rolled out more than 2 dozen models in these
categories and they have developed a solid foothold in the
automobile market. As of April 2014 there are nearly 200,000
nationwide. Sales have doubled over the past year alone, with
more than half of those sales occurring in the MOU signatory
states.


Solid and achievable action

The 8-State ZEV Action Plan provides an overview of the current
state of the market. It also provides an agenda to accelerate the
development of that market. 

At the heart of the plan are 11 Key Actions to be taken by all
the partners, and the elements needed to successfully complete
those actions.

The Key Actions cover three main areas:


Build the market
-Promote the availability and effective marketing of ZEVs 
-Encourage private fleets to acquire ZEVs
-Promote planning and investment in ZEV infrastructure
-Increase the number of ZEVs in government vehicle fleets


Provide consistent codes, standards and tracking
-Remove barriers to charging station installation
-Provide clear and uniform signage 
-Track and report progress toward the 3.3 million vehicle goal


Improve the experience
-Promote workplace charging
-Provide consumer incentives for the purchase of ZEVs
-Remove barriers to retail sale of electricity as vehicle fuel
-Promote access and compatibility for charging networks

The ZEV action plan also includes steps individual states may
take, as well as examples of successful existing state programs
to improve the experience of drivers and owners.


Environmental and economic health

Affordable, readily available ultra-clean vehicles are critical
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the impact of
climate change, since the transportation sector is one of the
nation’s major sources of greenhouse gases.

Creating a growing market for ZEVs also provides a range of
economic benefits. Electricity is widely available, and costs
less than gasoline or diesel on a per-mile basis. Maintenance
costs for a ZEV are also lower over the life of the vehicle.  The
push for clean vehicles has also brought investment in new
business and jobs which will help put our economy on a more
sustainable footing.

The Multi-State ZEV Action Plan is available at:
http://bit.ly/1pBhGNU

The 8-State Memorandum of Understanding can be found here:
http://bit.ly/1k4tAk4


Quotes from Governors:

“This plan is a triple ‘win’ for participating states because it
brings energy, environmental, and economic benefits,” said
Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy.  “Under the blueprint
provided in this plan we will continue with our efforts to
provide a convenient network of charging stations for Electric
Vehicles (EVS), add EVs and fuel cell vehicles to the state’s
fleet, and build out the hydrogen infrastructure needed for fuel
cell vehicles expected to be available for the 2015 model year.”

“This collaborative effort is an important step forward to ensure
the success of our zero-emission vehicle programs. Transitioning
our light duty transportation fleet to zero emission vehicles is
essential if we are to achieve our long term air quality and
climate goals," said Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. 
"Implementation of the action plan will support the arrival of
more than 3 million zero emission vehicles in our states by 2025
and serve as a roadmap for a healthier, more sustainable
transportation sector on both coasts. ”

“Today’s plan builds on Massachusetts’ nation-leading efforts to
use renewable energy technology to reduce carbon emissions,” said
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. “By promoting the use of
plug-in vehicles through the Commonwealth's electric vehicle
initiative and an array of consumer and fleet incentives, we are
able to give motorists choices in the vehicles they drive and
cleaner, less expensive fuel to power them.”

"Creating a strong and robust market for zero emission vehicles
is critically important to the success of clean-energy
technologies, and I am proud that New York is joining these other
states to make that a reality," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "This
action plan will help develop the infrastructure and coordinated
policies we need in order to put more than three million zero
emission vehicles on the road by 2025. Here in New York, we will
be supporting that effort through the Charge NY initiative by
installing 3,000 electric vehicle charging stations - vital to
the growth of a completely wired Northeast Corridor - and I am
hopeful that more States will join this collaborative effort and
help pave the way for the clean transportation options of the
future."

“Putting 3.3 million ZEVs on the roads of Oregon and our partner
states in the next 11 years requires both collaboration and
action,” said Governor John Kitzhaber. “We’ve taken significant
steps in Oregon to accelerate EV adoption, including
public-private initiatives like the West Coast Electric Highway
and the designation of a statewide EV officer. This action plan
gives Oregon and other partner states specific next steps to not
only build on and expand current efforts, but to see them
through.”

“This plan provides concrete steps states can take toward the
common goal of reducing our dependence on foreign oil and
protecting our environment,” said Governor Lincoln D. Chafee.
“Rhode Island will clearly benefit environmentally and
economically from development of a successful market for zero
emission vehicles and guaranteeing that our residents can use
those vehicles throughout the Northeast.”

“The multi-state ZEV group now has an action plan to guide us
through development and deployment of zero emission vehicle
infrastructure on both coasts,” said Governor Peter Shumlin.
“This plan is critical to meeting Vermont’s greenhouse gas
reduction goals and implementing our state energy plan. Moreover,
building a robust market for these ultra clean and efficient
vehicles, and developing recharging stations and other
infrastructure that supports them, will make Vermont and our
nation more prosperous by saving drivers money on transportation
costs, encouraging economic growth, and reducing motor vehicle
pollution impacts on public health and the environment.”


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Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.