The recently-introduced Zero Emission Vehicles Act of 2019 has gained the endorsement of the non-profit Plug In America organization.
The bill itself represents a significant forward step on the road to green mobility, requiring auto manufacturers to guarantee 50 percent of their new car sales are zero emission vehicles as of 2030 and to escalate that to 100 percent within another decade further. Each year after the initial 2030 deadline, the percentage of zero-emission demands would increase by 5 percent.
Introduced by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and U.S. Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), the legislation not only seeks to cut emissions out of the auto industry but also strives to better the market for battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
“This is a huge step in the right direction for America’s transportation policy,” Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America, said. “The 10 states that have already adopted a ZEV mandate are leading the way in electric vehicle (EV) adoption. A national ZEV mandate would send a huge signal to automakers and consumers that the future of transportation is electric, and would significantly accelerate the adoption of EVs across the country.”
Levin added that such a national mandate would also encourage manufacturers to innovate in the EV market, providing more offerings, including popular models like pickups and SUVs. At the same time, he said it promotes greater competition, jobs and reduces reliance on foreign oil.
“The future of our planet is at stake, and so is the future of our economy,” Merkley said. “If we lead the world in cutting-edge vehicle deployment, we can beat our global competitors, create good jobs here in America, and win the innovation race for new technologies. This legislation embraces the opportunity for America to sell to the world the revolutionary technology that will make our air cleaner, communities healthier, and workforce stronger.”