Colorado OKs electric car requirement to fight air pollution

Colorado is tightening its air quality regulations and requiring at least 5% of the vehicles sold in the state by 2023 to emit zero pollution.

The rule approved Friday 8 to 1 by the state Air Quality Control Commission applies to auto manufacturers, not buyers.

It’s aimed at boosting electric vehicle use in a state struggling to control air pollution in heavily populated areas.

In response to the vote, Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a statement, “In one of my first executive orders as governor, I asked for the Department of Public Health and Environment to increase the choices Coloradans have when it comes to purchasing electric cars by increasing the number of models available in our state, and we got it done within a few short months. It’s only the beginning. Colorado must continue to reduce smog and increase consumer choice.”

KRDO caught up with Tesla owner, Raj Ramamurti at a charging station in Colorado Springs. He says, ​​​​​​”I think it’s the right thing for the environment and the right thing for the planet in the long run.”

However, the decision to move away from gasoline still fuels questions.

Electric car owner Christopher Binkley says he answers them every day. “So people want to know the [car’s] range, how it drives, the feeling behind using batteries and no longer using gas and emitting emissions.”

Green Car Reports tracks developments in low-pollution vehicles and says Colorado is the 11th state to adopt zero-emissions requirements.

The auto industry groups Global Automakers and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers praised the rule. They say they have worked with Colorado officials on structuring the requirement.

Environmental groups also welcomed the standards. The Colorado Freedom to Drive Coalition called them costly and futile.