DC Moves Forward with Advanced Clean Cars II Program

WASHINGTON, DC – Recently, DC announced its formal adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) II Rule, which requires auto manufacturers to ensure that every new light-duty car sold in the District is a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) by 2035. ACC II would set the District on a path to lower vehicle emissions and kickstart a healthy transition to electric vehicles and cleaner air.

“Tailpipe emissions can cause lung inflammation, worsen asthma, and contribute to increased ground level ozone that further exacerbates a variety of health conditions,” said Tim Oberleiton, a Senior Attorney with Earthjustice’s Right to Zero program. “Adoption of the rule is a big win for public health and will help alleviate existing air quality inequities in the District.”

Several states in the Northeast have formally adopted or are in the process of adopting the Rule, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.

Transportation is also the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate the climate crisis and increase the risk of more extreme weather events, including hurricanes and heat waves, that further degrade air quality and put communities at risk.

“We are pleased to see DC adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II program that will benefit our air quality and public health while increasing access to zero-emission vehicles,” said Mike Litt, conservation chair and executive committee member at the Sierra Club DC Chapter. “Adopting strong clean vehicle standards – alongside investments in public transit and better biking and walking infrastructure – is one of the most important steps that DC can take to improve public health and accomplish our climate goals, and this program will help get us there by making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible to communities.”

“We are already seeing states come out in droves to support and adopt stronger clean car and truck standards,” Sari Amiel, Sierra Club associate attorney, said. “In joining these states, DC will be at the forefront of ensuring its residents have access to zero-emission vehicles and is taking an important step to cutting air pollution and breaking our reliance on dirty and volatile gas. As we see this wave into a cleaner future, we urge other states to look to DC as precedent, to protect not only their environment, but their communities as well.”

"DC joins a group of states attacking the scourge of transportation sector pollution.The capital city is the latest to adopt the Advanced Clean Car II standards which will have massive air quality, health and economic benefits as the transition to zero emission vehicles moves forward." Kathy Harris, Senior Advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).