RI Adopting CA Clean Cars, Trucks Act Rules

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Dan McKee announced today that Rhode Island will join seven states, including Massachusetts, in adopting California’s clean cars policy reducing sales of carbon-emitting cars and trucks gradually until no gas powered vehicles are sold in 2035.

The policy, Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) and Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) standards adopted in California in 2020, is aimed at reining in carbon pollution by slashing tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the state. The rules do not affect used cars or regulate local auto dealers or customers. Gasoline-powered cars can still be driven in Rhode Island, registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, and sold as used cars to new owners.

The ACCII policy concerns Light Duty Vehicles (LDVs), defined as  Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles, which manufacturers must begin selling zero-emission versions of in greater percentages starting in 2027 in Rhode Island.

The Advanced Clean Trucks policy provides a similar timeline for trucks. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, “Sales requirements are defined separately for three vehicle groups: Class 2b-3 trucks and vans, Class 4-8 rigid trucks, and Class 7-8 tractor trucks. The regulation is structured as a credit and deficit accounting system. A manufacturer accrues deficits based on the total volume of on-road HDT sales within California in a given model year. These deficits must be offset with credits generated by the sale of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or near zero-emission vehicles (NZEVs).”

“The RI Act on Climate directs all state agencies to move forward under their respective authorities to meet the greenhouse gas reduction mandates set in the law. Today, DEM is taking a major step to fight climate change in the transportation sector,” said Department of Environmental Management Director Terry Gray, whose agency will hold a virtual public listening session May 18 to discuss the new regulations and begin the rulemaking process. “Rhode Island is joining our neighboring states to cut GHGs and air pollution, which have the most impact on our communities that border our major roads and highways, creating a disproportionate impact in those neighborhoods. The environmental and health impacts from improved air quality in these areas is significant. In terms of economic impact, states joining together to send a clear signal to the market will result in greater economies of scale, driving down the prices of ZEVs, and ensuring that Rhode Island dealers and customers have full access to electric vehicles.”

“The Act on Climate put us on the clock for meeting major carbon reduction mandates, and it’s clear to me that Rhode Island will only meet the mandates by addressing the transportation sector head-on,” said McKee. “Implementing the Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks policy will help us do exactly that, minimize smog across the state but especially in environmental justice communities, and ensure adequate customer choice on electric vehicles in the future.”