Legislature Passes Two Electric Vehicle Bills

Imagine a transportation system with lots of options for getting around. Imagine vehicles that produce no air pollution and are safe for our climate. Those solutions are needed to tackle the fact that nearly 40% of Oregon’s climate pollution is caused by transportation and that transportation is also a major contributor to smog and soot that harm our health.

The good news is that we can get there. On the vehicle technology front, Oregon has taken action in the last few years to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, also known as zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), allowing utilities to invest in charging stations and providing state rebates so that individuals can purchase electric vehicles. However, until now, there has been no longer-term vision for when and how much we need to transition to electric cars and trucks, nor centralized monitoring and assessment of progress. This makes it difficult to see where we are and what other tools are needed to make progress.

That’s why we’re thrilled at the passage of Senate Bill 1044. SB 1044 focuses the state’s work to increase the proportion of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) over the next ten years. The legislation establishes metrics for success–like how many new electric cars are being sold and are they reaching lower-income households?–and assigns responsibility for measuring them to the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). Every other year, ODOE will provide a report on the adoption of ZEVs and the progress the state is making to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. This will provide valuable accountability, and allow the state and other stakeholders to identify opportunities and challenges in making progress toward the state’s climate goals.

SB1044 also reinforces and expands on the existing requirement for state agencies to choose a zero-emissions vehicle for new purchases or leases, and removes the loophole that allows state agencies to avoid this by citing the higher cost of ZEVs. Electric vehicles have lower maintenance and fuel costs than fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, even though the up-front cost may be higher. According to Senator Lee Beyer, the carrier of the bill, “it sets the state on the process of leading by example, or walking the talk, if you will.”

A related bill,  Senate Bill 411, is also awaiting the Governor’s signature. This bill amends existing law that allows heavy-duty vehicles to be heavier than the current weight limit if they are powered by natural gas. The amendment allows the same exception for vehicles that are powered primarily by means of an electric battery. Batteries are heavy, and electric trucks tend to be heavier than fossil-fuel powered trucks. This amendment allows some flexibility to support the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, which can make a big impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

These bills move us forward toward decarbonizing Oregon’s transportation system. Oregon Environmental Council supported these bills and will continue to advance and monitor state policies and practices that will create a cleaner transportation future.

Learn more about how electric cars are a clean and affordable way to get around.

Related Posts
Filter by
Post Page
Featured Toxic Free Priorities Transportation Solutions Water News Policy Toxics-Free Environments Climate Protection Air Quality OEC News/Updates/Events Media/PR/Statements Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Environmental Health
Sort by
water bottles lined up

On Valentine’s Day, groups call on the Oregon Legislature to ‘break up with plastic’

For Immediate Release Tuesday, February 14, 2023 — Plastic pollution reduction bills are having a public hearing. Salem, Ore.— Valentine’s Day is typically a day for expressing love and affection to romantic partners. However, it can also be a reminder of toxic relationships: like the one we have with plastics. This Valentine’s Day, environmental g
February 14, 2023, 6:54 pm
mcadmin

9

2022 Oregon Legislature: Mid-Session Update

The 2022 Legislative Session is well underway. OEC staff have jumped in with both feet, analyzing bills and recommending improvements, writing and delivering strong testimony, organizing partnered groups, and defending against harmful proposals. So far we have testified on over 20 unique bills and inspired nearly 300 citizen contacts to legislators and committees from OEC activists
February 17, 2022, 12:47 am
janag

9

Oregon Legislature Passes Bill To Curb Toxic Diesel Exhaust

Senate Passes Bill to Protect Oregonians from Diesel Pollution
June 30, 2019, 9:06 pm
mcadmin

9

An Urgent Plea: Retired Oregon Logger Wants Legislature to Protect Others from Diesel Exhaust

Guest blog by Steve Person Steve Person pictured here with his friend and former work partner, Jim Serrill. I lived in Oregon
May 31, 2017, 3:25 am
devond

9

Stronger Together: Equity in the Oregon Legislature

A few years ago, several groups got together to examine how state legislative proposals address issues of racial equity. They shone a light on laws that could have significant negative impacts on communities of color and recommended laws that could address racial disparities. To begin holding lawmakers accountable, they published the first Racial Equity Report Card in 2011. The report card, which is published every long session, evaluates each state legislator’s commitment to advancing o
March 17, 2015, 10:13 pm
mcadmin

9

a man looking into an engine of a new electric vehicle

Getting an electric vehicle just got easier!

Electric vehicles are only becoming more popular and affordable. Though we still need to find ways to drive less, EVs are a great alternative for cleaner mobility.  Thanks to some new policies and state investments, many of them supported by OEC, there are more accessible options today for low carbon transportation.  Transportation is still responsible for nearly 40% of Oregon’s greenhouse gas p
June 7, 2022, 9:52 pm
jacqui

0

U.S. Supreme Court passes on hearing oil industry challenge against Oregon’s clean-fuels momentum

The Clean Fuels Standard continues immense success, to remain for decades FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2019
May 14, 2019, 12:30 am
mcadmin

0

Good news: Electric vehicles now take you the distance

By Belinda McFadgen Guest author If you’re tired of the exhaust fumes, noise, and climate-damaging emissions from your typical gasoline car, the electric vehicle is a great option for your future ride. Good reasons exist for going electric. Switching from gas reduces air pollution and carbon emissions so electric vehicle engines run cleaner and quieter than gas cars. Electric cars also
December 8, 2017, 12:05 am
mcadmin

0


No Replies to "Legislature Passes Two Electric Vehicle Bills"