Major regulatory action is coming to New York, which will require all vehicles sold in the state to be zero emissions by 2035.
All new new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in New York will be zero emissions, according to the directive from Gov. Kathy Hochul.
She called it a crucial regulatory step to achieving significant greenhouse gas emission reductions from the transportation sector.
The Governor also announced new and ongoing investments including electric vehicle infrastructure progress, zero-emission vehicle incentives, and ensuring New York’s communities benefit from historic federal climate change investments.
“New York is a national climate leader and an economic powerhouse, and we’re using our strength to help spur innovation and implementation of zero-emission vehicles on a grand scale,” Hochul said at a press conference on Thursday. “With sustained state and federal investments, our actions are incentivizing New Yorkers, local governments, and businesses to make the transition to electric vehicles. We’re driving New York’s transition to clean transportation forward, and today’s announcement will benefit our climate and the health of our communities for generations to come.”
The DEC is expediting its regulatory process to implement the legislation signed by the governor earlier this year.
The rollout of zero emission vehicles will actually begin much sooner than 2035, though.
Starting in 2026, 35% of sales will need to be zero emission, 68% by 2030, and 100% by 2035.
Several details of the regulatory side remain unsettled.
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