Healthy Colorado: Cleaner air coming to the state thanks to more zero-emission vehicles
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The American Lung Association is applauding Colorado's recent zero-emission vehicle goals. Colorado has approved new rules aimed at improving the state's air quality by accelerating the number of non-gas-powered vehicles available to new car buyers in the coming decade.
On Friday, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted the Colorado Clean Cars standard. It directs vehicle manufacturers to increase sales of battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel-cell electric vehicles sold in Colorado beginning in 2027.
The new rules set the state on target for 82% of the light-duty trucks and passenger vehicles sold in the model year 2032 should be electric or zero-emission.
The American Lung Association's annual State of the Air 2023 report noted that Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs ranked among the nation's worst 25 cities for ozone pollution.
They go on to say that Colorado could see enormous public health benefits. Including preventing more than 850 premature deaths and 31,000 asthma attacks by 2050 if a widespread shift to zero-emissions transportation and clean non-combustion electricity were to occur.
