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Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate Proposal

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On August 16, 2019, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) voted 8-1 to adopt an alternate Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rule presented jointly by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Colorado Energy Office.

Statements by Colorado State Agencies and Auto Industry following Adoption of Agreement on Electric Vehicles - August 16, 2019.

The Colorado Secretary of State (SOS) published this rule on September 10, 2019.
As of January 2, 2022, automakers must make an increasing minimum percentage of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) available for sale as part of their light-duty fleet (8,500 pounds GVWR).
The alternate rule provides automakers with proportional and/or early-action credit options, which could make more of these vehicles available in Colorado as soon as Model Year (MY) 2021.

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Background

On June 19, 2018, Governor Hickenlooper signed Executive Order B 2018 006, Maintaining Progress on Clean Vehicles. It directs the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) to consider a proposed rule adopting a California Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standard. The AQCC passed Regulation 20 - The Colorado Low Emission Automobile Regulation (CLEAR) - on November 16, 2018.

This executive order did not direct CDPHE to propose a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program, or to mandate the sale of electric vehicles. There was extensive public comment, however, in support of both Low and Zero Emission Vehicle Rules at the AQCC meeting on August 16, 2018. The AQCC requested that a proposed ZEV rule be presented for its consideration. If adopted, such a Proposed Rule would require an increasing percentage of all light-duty motor vehicles sold in Colorado to be Zero Emission Vehicles.

On January 17, 2019, Governor Polis signed Executive Order B 2019 002, Supporting a Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles which includes the following directives:

  • CDPHE shall develop a rule to establish a ZEV program, and propose it to the AQCC by May 2019, for possible adoption by October 30, 2019.​
  • CDPHE shall also revise its Beneficiary Mitigation Plan to allocate funds remaining from the Volkswagen settlement to the electrification of buses, trucks, and other vehicles.
  • A new Transportation Electrification Workgroup will draw representatives from CDPHE, CDOT(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window), the Colorado Energy Office(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window)(opens in new window), and several other state agencies.​​
  • CDOT shall develop a Zero Emission Vehicle and Clean Transportation Plan to support widespread ZEV adoption.
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Stakeholder process

The Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) has provided a forum for those with an economic or professional stake in Colorado's motor vehicle fleet mix, particularly those who would be affected by an increase in zero emission vehicle sales.

APCD held the following stakeholder meetings to seek distinct and quantitative fiscal, economic, and other impacts of a ZEV rule taking effect in Colorado:

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Contact us 

Please send any questions or comments about the Colorado Zero Emission Vehicle program to cdphe_colevzev@state.co.us