MAINE PUBLIC • October 25, 2023
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection is considering so-called clean car rules. Environmental groups have petitioned the board to set more stringent emissions standards for new vehicles by incorporating a version of California's Advanced Clean Cars regulations. At their meeting in Augusta Tuesday, the board debated questions about climate benefits, charging infrastructure, cost, and impacts to car dealers. Jack Shapiro of the Natural Resources Council of Maine says the rules will help Maine meet its climate goals. And he says if Maine and other states adopt similar standards, manufacturers will build more EVs, and the price will come down. The rules would require more new cars sold in Maine to be zero emission vehicles, aiming for 80% by model year 2032. A separate petition sets standards for trucks.