Statement: New Mexico adopts Advanced Clean Cars program

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico became the 16th state to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars program on Thursday. Following a public hearing, New Mexico’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) and ​​the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board (AQCB) both moved to adopt a new clean cars rule. The rule creates both a low-emission vehicle (LEV) and zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) program. The LEV rule will strengthen regulations on tailpipe emissions for newly sold vehicles in an effort to reduce air pollution. The ZEV program will work to ensure more electric vehicles are manufactured and sold in New Mexico. 

By 2050, this Clean Car Rule is expected to eliminate about 130,000 tons of greenhouse gasses and over 1,700 tons of harmful ozone-forming air pollution. 

In response, Environment New Mexico Destination: Zero Carbon Director Morgan Folger issued the following statement: 

“With this new rule, New Mexico is taking an essential step in the fight against climate change. The climate alarm bells are sounding as unseasonably early wildfires burn in the northern part of New Mexico and transportation is the second-largest contributor to climate change in the state. We applaud the Environmental Improvement Board and the Air Quality Control Board for acting to protect New Mexicans from even worse climate impacts in the future. The clean cars rule is a victory for clean air and a stable climate and this decision should accelerate the pace of electric vehicle sales in the Land of Enchantment.”