Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
NATIONWIDE -- Today, the Sierra Club, Plug In America, the Electrification Coalition, and Forth, released a newly updated version of AchiEVe: Model Policies to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Adoption, the most current and comprehensive national toolkit designed to accelerate the switch to clean, electric vehicles (EVs) in an effective and equitable way by providing various stakeholders with model EV policies at the state, local, and utility levels.
This is the fourth edition of the toolkit, originally released in 2017, with new information on direct sales legislation for passenger vehicles, best EV practices for dealerships, policies targeting businesses and how they can electrify, and policies for electrifying medium and heavy duty vehicles. Importantly, the toolkit features many detailed examples from locations across the nation where policies are working.
“The AchiEVe toolkit provides a roadmap to expand transportation electrification and elevate policies that prioritize communities most impacted by pollution and lacking clean and accessible transportation options,” said Hieu Le, campaign representative with the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign. “As we seek to rebuild our economy from the COVID-19 crisis, we must do so equitably, leaving no person or community behind. Investment in clean transportation -- with a particular focus on public transit and electrification of cars, trucks, and buses -- is a significant step toward building that future.”
"Electric vehicles reduce air pollution, which disproportionately affects communities of color and other disadvantaged communities," said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America. "They also provide valuable cost savings to consumers, including lower fuel and maintenance expenses. Supportive policies, including rebates and tax credits, make electric vehicles even more accessible. The AchiEVe model policy toolkit gives advocates and policymakers valuable information to advance legislation that promotes the electrification of transportation."
“As EV technology continues to accelerate, the AchiEVe toolkit will help states and localities around the country implement the policies and actions needed to rapidly transition to an equitable, electrified transportation future that reduces our dependency on oil, lowers emissions, and is powered by diverse, domestic, and abundant U.S. energy,” said Ben Prochazka, National Director of the Electrification Coalition.
“Clean transportation technology is critical in addressing climate change and addressing issues of social justice," said Jeanette Shaw, Forth’s Sr. Director of Policy. "Minority and low-income communities are affected at a significantly higher level by health problems tied to poor air quality as a result of prior transportation policies and investments. The AchiEVe model policy toolkit provides key information to advance transportation electrification on multiple levels for industries, technologies and communities."
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
About Plug In America: Plug In America is the nation’s leading independent consumer voice for accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. We drive electric. You can too. PlugInAmerica.org
About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that reduce America’s dependence on oil by facilitating the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale. The members of the Electrification Coalition are leaders of companies representing the entire value chain of an electrified transportation system. For more information, visit electrificationcoalition.org.
About Forth: Forth is a non-profit organization advocating for electric, shared and smart transportation. The four main focus areas of our work are policy advocacy, consumer engagement, industry development and demonstration projects. For more information, visit www.forthmobility.org
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.