Proposal would require 82% of new vehicles sold in Maine be emissions-free in 10 years

A proposal designed to help Maine reach its climate goals would require 43% of new vehicles sold in Maine to be zero emission by the 2027 model year, increasing to 82% by 2032. Nearly 90 people signed up to testify Thursday on the proposal put forward by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, which used a little-known provision in state law to bring forward the idea with signatures from more than 150 Mainers. NRCM presented the rule to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection Thursday, saying it’s necessary to help Maine meet its climate goals. Those goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, said Jack Shapiro of NRCM.