More than 260,000 zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) have been sold in the US as of the end of September, according to the most recent sales numbers.
The announcement of the milestone achievement was recently made by reps from an 8-state partnership to grow, develop, and support, the market for ZEVs — along with the California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary D Nichols — at a ceremony in Diamond Bar, California.
That 8-state partnership was formed last October when said states signed a memorandum of understanding with the goal of taking legislative and administrative actions designed to put at least 3.3 million ZEVS on the roads of the member states by 2025. The partnership’s plan for this goal — the ZEV Action Plan — was released in June.
As far as the specifics of the numbers, buyers in California have so far purchased or leased over 100,000 ZEVs; while the seven other member states — New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Rhode Island — have together sold or leased more than 135,000.
Commenting on the achievement, the California Air Resources Board Chairman Nichols stated: “In only a few short years we have gone from virtually zero to a quarter-million zero-emission cars, and every day moves us closer to our combined goal of 3.3 million by 2025. This announcement is further evidence that the market for zero emission vehicles is growing and that increasingly, consumers nationwide are choosing to say no to cars that run on petroleum and yes to a new generation of ultra-clean vehicles.”
Green Car Congress provides some specifics with regard to the actions taken by the states involved:
The 8 ZEV states are working together to develop incentives to encourage consumers and businesses to purchase ZEVs, as well as collaborating to streamline codes and regulations dealing with recharging and refueling infrastructure.
Since signing the MOU, Massachusetts has launched two new financial incentive programs to spur sales of ZEVs and installation of recharging stations. The state has earmarked nearly $4 million for those programs, and so far more than $1.5 million has been reserved or awarded for vehicles and projects.
Maryland provides another example, having provided $1 million for new charging infrastructure, as well as financial incentives for consumers. Maryland expanded a tax credit for vehicle purchase and leasing and converted a tax credit for charging equipment to a rebate.
As far as California goes, it should go without saying that the state provides generous incentives to ZEV drivers, probably the best in the country. So the sales there certainly aren’t surprising.
The state is also one of the few to be investing heavily (over $50 million) into hydrogen fuel cell refueling infrastructure… despite the fact that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles aren’t green.
Image Credit: Zachary Shahan | EV Obsession | CleanTechnica