Light-Duty ZEVs
The federal Clean Air Act allows New York State to adopt California's ZEV standards. As a result, the State's LEV program is modeled after the California LEV program. It applies to all new on-road motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, and emission control systems delivered for sale in the State.
The State LEV program requires all new vehicles sold in the State to also meet California emissions standards, which are more stringent than federal standards. The goal of the LEV program is to reduce emissions of smog-forming pollutants including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen. Reducing engine pollution protects the environment and the health of the State's residents.
The LEV program also includes ZEV and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards modeled after California's programs. To meet ZEV standards, manufacturers must deliver ZEVs including:
- Battery Electric Vehicles
- Fuel Cell Vehicles
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)
ZEVs provide an emission reduction benefit due to the absence of tailpipe emissions. PHEVs enable the development and implementation of ZEV technologies. The State's GHG standards are designed to reduce mobile source GHG emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and motor vehicle air conditioning refrigerants.
ZEV and ZEV-enabling technologies are important to achieving and maintaining the long-term air quality of the State. Vehicles equipped with these technologies emit fewer smog-forming and GHG pollutants than conventional vehicles, while providing similar performance, utility, and safety attributes. In addition to emission-reduction benefits, ZEVs and PHEVs save consumers money through reduced operating expenses over the life of the vehicle, primarily through reduced fuel use.
ZEV Credit Balances
Each manufacturer shares ZEV credit and annual production data with DEC. This information is shared with the public every year. This is identical to the information released by California under their state laws and by states that have adopted California standards.
- 2022 Zero Emission Vehicle Credits (PDF)
- 2021 Zero Emission Vehicle Credits (PDF)
- 2020 Zero Emission Vehicle Credits (PDF)
Medium- and Heavy-Duty ZEVs
Multi-State Memorandum of Understanding (MHD ZEV MOU)
DEC held a Stakeholder Outreach webinar "Consideration to Revise 6 NYCRR Part 218 to Incorporate California's Advanced Clean Trucks, Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus, and Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Standards" on February 17, 2021. View the Stakeholder Outreach webinar slides (PDF)
DEC held a kick off meeting on October 21, 2020, to discuss the MHD ZEV MOU and the development of an MHD ZEV Action Plan. View the MHD ZEV MOU kick off meeting slides (PDF)
NESCAUM and DEC held a stakeholder outreach meeting on April 11, 2021 to provide an overview of the Draft MHD ZEV Action Plan. The comment period for the Draft MHD ZEV Action Plan has ended. View the stakeholder outreach meeting slides (PDF).
On July 14, 2020, Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, along with the governors from 14 states and the Mayor of Washington D.C., signed a joint memorandum of understanding committing to work collaboratively to advance and accelerate the market for electric medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles. MHD vehicles include large pickup trucks, vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks. The mutual goal of the signatories is to ensure that 100 percent of all new MHD vehicle sales will be ZEV by 2050 with an interim target of 30 percent MHD ZEV sales by 2030. The MOU comes at an important transition point for the motor vehicle industry as investment in ZEV technology for the MHD sector is developing beyond a nascent industry. Additional jurisdictions, including Nevada and the Province of Quebec, have subsequently become signatories to the MHD ZEV MOU.
DEC's Commissioner Basil Seggos noted, "Without federal leadership, addressing the climate crisis requires states to work together to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sources. Reducing air pollution from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles will result in cleaner air for our communities-including low-income neighborhoods and communities of color that are often disproportionately impacted by environmental pollution. Today's announcement bolsters New York's ongoing efforts to electrify the transportation sector and reduce climate pollution, helping to realize our ambitious emissions reduction goals and grow a powerful green economy to benefit all communities."
The MHD ZEV MOU will support the increased electrification of the State's transportation system, reducing the GHG emissions that contribute to climate change that threatens NY's people and environment. New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has established nation-leading GHG emission-reduction goals of 40% from 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Meeting these aggressive goals requires a sustained transformation of the State's economy from fossil fuels to an economy powered by carbon emission-free renewable energy sources.
MHD ZEVs and GHGs
The transportation sector is the State's largest source of GHG and NOx emissions with medium- and heavy-duty vehicles having a disproportionate share compared to other mobile sources. Accelerating the move to zero emission trucks and buses is an essential step to achieve the deep economy-wide emission reductions needed to avoid the worst consequences of climate change and protect the health of millions of Americans. While trucks and buses only account for 4 percent of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for nearly 25 percent of total transportation sector GHG emissions. Emissions from trucks are the fastest growing source of GHGs, and the number of truck miles traveled on the nation's roads is forecast to continue to grow significantly in the coming decades. Clean trucks and buses promise to deliver widespread health benefits, particularly in disproportionately impacted low-income communities of color, and environmental justice areas often located near major trucking corridors, ports, and distribution hubs.
Decarbonizing New York State's Transportation Systems
The State has already completed several critical steps to transform our existing transportation system by supporting cleaner and electric transportation through these programs.
- New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program
- New York City Clean Trucks Program
- Public Service Commission Make Ready Program
Soon, MHD ZEV fleets will be able to take advantage of fleet assessment services offered to be developed by the State's six major investor-owned utilities.
MHD ZEV Action Plan
The Multi-State ZEV Task Force, coordinated by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), developed the Draft MHD ZEV Action Plan to identify barriers and propose solutions to support widespread adoption of zero emission MHDs and give other considerations outlined in the MOU. A similar action plan was completed for the Light-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle MOU signed in 2013. The ZEV Task Force completed a light-duty Multi-State ZEV Action Plan in 2014 and a 2018-2021 Multi-State ZEV Action Plan Update in 2018.
The Draft MHD ZEV Action Plan was developed in consultation with key partners and stakeholders. To support this effort, DEC developed an MHD ZEV Action Plan stakeholder list that includes State agencies and authorities, major private fleets, non-governmental organizations, environmental justice and advocacy groups, New York State trucking associations, and electric utilities. Comments to the draft MHD ZEV Action Plan can be submitted to the NESCAUM portal by April 25, 2022.
