New Plan Aims for 3.3 Million More Green Cars by 2025

A new plan being put in place by eight states seeks to see another 3.3 million zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) on the road by 2025.

Under the new rules, those states will require that 15 percent of new vehicles being sold fall under the zero emissions category. California, Oregon, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York have all signed on.

“Under the blueprint provided in this plan we will continue with our efforts to provide a convenient network of charging stations for Electric Vehicles (EVS), add EVs and fuel cell vehicles to the state’s fleet, and build out the hydrogen infrastructure needed for fuel cell vehicles expected to be available for the 2015 model year,” Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy said.

Building codes for installing charging infrastructure in commercial locations will also be streamlined along with clear uniform signage. Consumer incentives will also continue under the plan in those states while nonmonetary perks like HOV lane access and preferential parking spaces are also part of the plan.

Under the plan, ZEVs include plug-in hybrids, battery electric and hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles. Last month, the first shipment of Hyundai’s new hydrogen-powered fuel-cell Tucson crossovers arrived in Southern Califorina. Hyundai and Honda both plan to launch small fleets of new hydrogen-powered vehicles in that market this year. Toyota is also building a hydrogen-powered electric car. Meanwhile, Tesla is about to start construction on its “Gigafactory” battery production facility in order to increase capacity in time for its Gen III affordable electric vehicle.

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