Statement: Oregon enacting 100% zero-emission cars sales requirement by 2035

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PORTLAND, Ore. – On Monday, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission voted in favor of a rule that will require all new cars sold in Oregon be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. This rule aligns Oregon with California’s updated auto emissions standards. 

Transportation is responsible for 40% of Oregon’s climate pollution, over half of which comes from passenger cars and trucks. In addition to climate pollution, poor air quality caused by burning fossil fuels in our cars and trucks causes toxic tailpipe pollution, emitting harmful gasses such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and ozone, which are linked to breathing problems like asthma in kids and adults and higher rates of cancer, heart disease and premature death.

Charlie Fisher, OSPIRG state director, issued the following statement:

“Gas-powered cars are a major source of air pollution that creates toxic smog and threatens public health. We cannot address climate change without phasing out gas-powered transportation. We applaud the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission for  following California’s lead to require 100% zero-emission car sales by 2035. On the heels of the landmark climate law passing Congress, it’s particularly encouraging that momentum to address the climate crisis is building in Oregon and many other states across the country.

“While we must invest in electrifying our transportation, we also need to embrace a wider range of transportation options, including transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure. By transforming our transportation system, we can enable Oregonians to drive less and live more.”

Celeste Meiffren-Swango, Environment Oregon state director, issued the following statement:

“Once again, Oregon is proving itself to be a national leader in taking steps to reduce climate pollution. Oregonians have long embraced climate action, but it’s become increasingly clear that we need to do more. 

“Setting an ambitious target of having all new car sales be zero-emission vehicles by 2035 will get more clean vehicles on the road, help us hit our climate pollution reduction goals, clean up our air and take advantage of the fact that Oregon’s electric grid is getting cleaner every year. 

“Adopting this rule in Oregon puts a mile marker on the road to the future that we want and need to build to ensure a liveable planet for generations to come. We applaud the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission for moving our state forward.”

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