{"id":19624,"date":"2019-08-14T16:10:25","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T21:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/?p=19624"},"modified":"2019-08-14T17:05:34","modified_gmt":"2019-08-14T22:05:34","slug":"by-the-numbers-colorado-zero-emission-vehicle-program-will-cut-climate-pollution-and-save-coloradans-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2019\/08\/14\/by-the-numbers-colorado-zero-emission-vehicle-program-will-cut-climate-pollution-and-save-coloradans-money\/","title":{"rendered":"By the numbers: Colorado Zero Emission Vehicle Program will cut climate pollution and save Coloradans money"},"content":{"rendered":"

(This post was written by EDF\u00a0 Attorney Laura Shields)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The numbers are in for Colorado\u2019s proposed Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program \u2013 it will cut climate pollution and save Coloradans millions of dollars.<\/p>\n

This week, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission is formally considering adoption of the ZEV program for model year 2023 through 2025 vehicles. (Colorado already adopted state Low Emission Vehicle standards<\/a> last year).<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake for Coloradans?<\/p>\n

This important clean air program means that, while no Coloradan has any obligation to buy or choose a zero-polluting vehicle, ALL Coloradans will have more models of zero-emitting vehicles to choose from if they want a cleaner car.<\/p>\n

These clean vehicles will save Coloradans hard-earned money at the gas pump and will reduce dangerous climate pollution. They will also help reduce smog-forming pollution in all communities across Colorado, clean up Denver\u2019s brown cloud, and lift the veil of haze pollution in our world-class national parks and wilderness areas.<\/p>\n

In short, Colorado\u2019s proposed ZEV program will mean healthier air, fuel cost savings, more vehicle choice and a safer climate for all Coloradans.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>How the proposed ZEV program works<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colorado\u2019s proposed ZEV program<\/a> would require that automakers sell a certain percentage of zero-emitting vehicles every year.<\/p>\n

If the program is adopted, Colorado will join 10 other states currently implementing clean car programs that include both low-emission and zero-emission vehicle standards. Adopting the program would also make progress toward achieving the pollution reduction targets established in the historic climate legislation<\/a> recently adopted by the Colorado General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Jared Polis.<\/p>\n

In testimony at today’s hearing, two auto industry groups, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Global Automakers, expressly supported adoption of a Colorado ZEV program (including some additional crediting flexibilities jointly proposed by the automakers and the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado Energy office). The Alliance for Automakers stated in its hearing materials today<\/a> that it is:<\/p>\n

“Committed to vehicle electrification and working with Colorado; Fully support the CDOT, CEO, Alliance, and Global Automakers Joints Proposed Alternative Regulations; Recommend the AQCC adopt the Joint Alternative Proposal.”<\/p>\n

Significantly, this is the first time automakers have supported state adoption of a ZEV program and reflects a growing consensus of the significant benefits these vehicles can deliver.<\/p>\n

Benefits for Coloradans<\/strong><\/p>\n

EDF is part of a coalition of public health and environmental groups (including Western Resource Advocates, NRDC, Sierra Club, and the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project) that has been a formal party in the rulemaking<\/a>. We\u2019ve worked in support of Colorado\u2019s adoption of a ZEV program that will deliver major climate, health and economic benefits for all Coloradans.<\/p>\n

Our support is bolstered by a comprehensive analysis<\/a>, commissioned by EDF, that found Colorado\u2019s adoption of a combined clean cars program will save Coloradans up to $65 million per year in 2025 and $2.2 billion per year in 2040:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It will avoid one million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year by 2025, and up to 7.6 million tons annually by 2040 \u2013 equivalent to taking more than 200,000 cars off Colorado\u2019s roads in 2025 and almost 1.6 million cars in 2040:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It will also significantly reduce smog-forming pollution and particulate pollution, which are both dangerous to human health. And the pollution reductions will help address the negative impacts of climate change.<\/p>\n

Coloradans are already experiencing rising temperatures that increase smog. The American Lung Association recently ranked Denver the 12th<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 most-polluted city in the nation for smog forming pollutants, and Colorado has failed to meet both the 2008 and 2015 health-based National Ambient Air Quality standards for smog-forming pollution.<\/p>\n

Our report<\/a> also found that Colorado\u2019s proposed program would:<\/p>\n