The Scoop: Chafee’s Push for Green Cars, Big Grants for RI; More

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Anthony Faccenda, The Scoop

 

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Welcome to The Scoop, the 4 p.m. report on everything politics in Rhode Island – the inside daily report exclusively on GoLocalProv.com.

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Chafee Joins Governors Coalition to Spur Growth of Zero-Emission Vehicles

Governor Lincoln Chafee would like to see Rhode Island’s roads heavily populated with zero-emissions vehicles come 2025. Chafee, along with governors from seven states, today announced a groundbreaking initiative to put 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the roads in their states within a dozen years.

"Rhode Island has already started taking steps and one includes the installation of charging stations throughout the state. We are determined to develop a clean and efficient transportation infrastructure for the future," Chafee said. "Through the Zero Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding, we have created a vital partnership that will reduce our reliance on imported oil, boost our economy, and save money at the pump. This is an important collaboration that works toward the common goal of protecting our environment."

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Clearing a path

This multi-state effort is intended to expand consumer awareness and demand for zero-emission vehicles. As a first step in this plan, the governors of California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont signed a cooperative agreement. In this agreement, the governors identify specific actions they will promote within their states and joint cooperative actions these states will undertake to help build a robust national market for electric and hydrogen-powered cars.

The governors agreed to pursue the following efforts:

  • Harmonize building codes to make it easier to construct new electric car charging stations
  • Lead by example by including zero emission vehicles in their public fleets
  • Evaluate and establish, where appropriate, financial and other incentives to promote zero emission vehicles
  • Consider establishing favorable electricity rates for home charging systems; and
  • Develop common standards for roadway signs and charging networks.

Creating a market

These states are among a group of states which have adopted rules requiring about 15 percent of new vehicles sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2025. Collectively, the eight signatory states represent more than 23 percent of the U.S. car market, and expect to have at least 3.3 million of these vehicles operating on their roadways by that time.

Cars are already here

U.S. electric car sales in 2012 more than tripled to about 52,000 from 17,000 in 2011. Motorists bought more than 40,000 plug-in cars in the first and second quarters of 2013.

There are currently 16 zero-emission vehicle models available from eight automotive manufacturers; nine run completely on batteries, two on hydrogen fuel cells and five are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that can run on gasoline as well as battery power. The number of models is expected to increase for model year 2014 and beyond. Several electric vehicle models have won awards for safety, performance and customer satisfaction over the past couple of years.

There are already more than 6,700 charging stations open to the public in the signatory states. By 2015 nearly every major automaker will have zero emission vehicles available for sale or lease, and more than 200,000 zero-emission vehicles are expected to be on the road across the U.S.

Promoting a healthier environment and economy

According to the governors coalition, these clean vehicles will provide a major foothold in the battle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their consequences, which include sea level rise, increases in extreme weather, and wildfire intensity.

There are economic advantages as well. Electricity is the most widely available source of power and typically costs about two-thirds less than gasoline on a per-mile basis. By 2025, the average zero-emission vehicle driver will save nearly $6,000 in fueling costs over the life of the car.

RI's zero-emissions standards

Although all new vehicles for sale in the United States are certified to meet either Federal emission standards, set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Rhode Island has adopted the stricter California Low Emission Vehicle II (LEV-2) emission standards for new vehicles sold in the state in 2004. Rhode Island is one thirteen states to adopt California's vehicle emissions standards. For more information about California's zero emissions program visit: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/zevprog/zevprog.htm

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