Thankfully, there’s a solution that slashes climate-damaging emissions, saves lives and protects the businesses that rely on these vehicles. The Advanced Clean Trucks rule will never rush a clean vehicle into a job that it’s not ready for. And it will never force a Maine business to purchase a particular vehicle. Instead, it sets a standard for manufacturers.
Maine’s proposed rule to spur electric vehicle purchases should go farther
“Harmful emissions from gas-powered cars and trucks are driving the climate crisis and polluting the air in our communities,” said CLF attorney James Crowley. “Rhode Island has an opportunity to tackle the climate crisis while cleaning up the air in our neighborhoods. It’s time to ditch fossil fuels once and for all, and these new rules will help us get there.”
“Harmful emissions from gas-powered cars and trucks are driving the climate crisis and polluting the air in our communities,” said Greg Cunningham, Vice President of Clean Energy and Climate Change at CLF. “In creating these new rules, the state has an opportunity to tackle the climate crisis while cleaning up the air for families in Maine. But the draft released today doesn’t go far enough, and we’ll be pushing officials to ensure 100% of cars and passenger trucks sold are electric by 2035.”
“Toxic pollution from cars and trucks overheats the planet and clogs the air in our communities,” said CLF Senior Attorney Emily Green. “The Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks rules would help us tackle the climate crisis while cleaning up the air for people and families in Maine. It’s time for our state leaders to step up and walk the walk when it comes to slashing pollution from vehicles.”
Maine has taken major strides toward getting more clean cars on the road, but we must do more if we are to meet the urgency of the moment. That means taking bold action today.
The cars, buses, and trucks we drive are the largest source of climate damaging emissions in the region. We need bold standards to slash this pollution and slow climate change.
The Advanced Clean Cars II standards will require automakers to produce more electric cars, increasing their availability for Massachusetts residents.
“Goals and promises are meaningless without real action on the ground,” said Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President of CLF Massachusetts. “The previous administration took little actual action to meet the goals laid out in Massachusetts’ strong climate laws, we now have an opportunity to do better. If we want to leave a healthy future for the next generation, it’s time to ditch fossil fuels and electrify everything from transportation to home heating, and these petitions lay out steps Massachusetts must take to get us there.”
This Earth Day, the U.S. Congress has finally given us a climate milestone to celebrate. How can we ensure that these momentous investments do not get squandered?
