Tim Cywinski, Tim.cywinski@sierraclub.org
Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Richmond, VA - Today, Governor Ralph Northam signed Virginia onto the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding, which has been signed by 15 states and Washington DC, to support vehicle electrification and eliminate toxic air pollution. Under the MOU, Virginia joins a multi-state commitment for 30 percent of new truck and bus sales to be zero-emission by 2030 and 100 percent zero-emission by 2050.
In Virginia, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses make up just 11 percent of vehicles on the road but produce over 30 percent of transportation emissions.
In response to today’s announcement that Virginia will join the multi-state framework, Kate West, Director of Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, released the following statement:
“It’s terrific to see Governor Northam taking advantage of this opportunity to drive down tailpipe pollution and invest in clean fleet vehicles. Today’s action will cut a major source of climate and air pollution that has long harmed people’s health in communities across Virginia, especially communities of color. We commend Governor Northam for signing Virginia onto this commitment to electrify trucks and buses.”
Background: Virginia’s participation in the MOU is another important step to accelerate electrifying Virginia’s transportation fleets following heavy investments from the Volkswagen Settlement and signing HB 1965 into law, which made Virginia the first clean car state in the Southeast this year.
Virginia signing onto this MOU comes after Oregon and Washington State recently adopted California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule and other East Coast states are moving forward with ACT, and a recent executive order from President Biden that seeks to increase electrification of vehicles, including establishing multi-pollutant standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles beginning in 2027.
Transportation is the largest source of climate-disrupting emissions in Virginia, accounting for almost half of Virginia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Speeding up the transition to electric vehicles will also have tangible, immediate public health benefits for all Virginians.
Additional information on what’s next: Virginia will now initiate a public process to solicit input from residents and stakeholders, including environmental organizations, labor, and environmental justice groups on the development of any regulatory rules. There should be a robust effort to provide information and receive input from communities that are overburdened with vehicle pollution.
Some of the policies under consideration of the MOU would focus on further leveraging environmental and air quality benefits associated with adoption of the ACT rule, as well as zero emission public transit and public fleet deployment. In addition, utilities must coordinate with fleets and local agencies to ensure beneficial site planning, rate structures and investment in “make-ready” charging infrastructure.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.