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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection are proposing regulations to make cars and trucks up to 90% cleaner and to require vehicle manufacturers to deliver more zero-emission vehicles to Connecticut drivers beginning in 2027.
The light-duty vehicle standards being released implement legislation adopted in 2003, requiring the state to adopt and remain consistent with California’s standards for light duty vehicles (passenger cars), according to the Governor's Office.
These standards will require 90% cleaner emissions from internal combustion engines and will require vehicle manufacturers to deliver 100% electric vehicles by 2035.
They also introduce assurance measures that strengthen battery life and warranty requirements for consumers.
The medium and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicle standards authorized by the Connecticut Clean Air Act, which Governor Lamont signed into law last year, require increasing percentages of MHD electric vehicle (EV) sales until 2032 (depending on vehicle class) and will reduce emissions from internal combustion engine MHD vehicles by up to 90%.
This legislation enables Connecticut to follow California’s program.
Both light-duty and MHD standards provide manufacturers with significant flexibility in meeting the requirements, including credit and pooling banking provisions.
State officials says they will continue to work to support and develop incentive programs to help Connecticut residents and businesses purchase new electric and advanced technology vehicles while working with manufacturers to determine how to best deploy those incentive programs.
“To meet our long-term reduction targets, most vehicle sales need to be zero-emission by the middle of the next decade,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes says.
Connecticut joins Rhode Island, Maryland, New Jersey, and New Mexico in announcing intention to adopt new standards.
Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont finalized adoption of rules this year or late 2022.
