Colorado is looking to adopt California’s Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) program by 2023, but the agreement and program details are not yet finalized and voted on.
Colorado lawmakers are looking to provide Coloradans more choice of electric and other ZEV-compliant vehicles. The automotive trade groups that represent the majority of automakers want to make sure that Colorado regulators provide support to consumers looking to purchase electric vehicles, while also allowing the automakers to transition into the Colorado’s ZEV program.
The latest plan will put the Colorado ZEV program into effect in 2023, but allow automakers to earn electric vehicle credits in the two model years prior to that (2021 and 2022).
Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission scheduled a ZEV standards rule-making hearing for Aug 13-16, 2019. The commission adopted California’s Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) program in 2018, but excluded the ZEV program at that time.
ZEV vehicles include plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cells. The ZEV credits a major automaker needs to earn depend on the total number of vehicles (with GVWR of under 8,501 lbs) that automaker delivers for sale in the state.
If the program is adopted, it will affect all major automakers who sell light trucks or passenger cars in the state. The program represents additional cost to the automakers as electric vehicle production, distribution, and service need to be expanded or updated.
We will update this story as it develops further.
