Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced plans to propose Clean Cars and Trucks rules to the Environmental Improvement Board this month. The proposal, filed on July 7, aims to implement Advanced Clean Cars and Trucks standards in New Mexico by the end of 2023. A coalition of climate, environmental justice, and business groups is supporting this initiative.

The proposed standards would reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions and require manufacturers to increase the availability of zero-emission electric vehicles. Studies indicate these measures could prevent premature deaths and respiratory illnesses while reducing climate pollution significantly by 2050.

Advanced Clean Cars II mandates that auto manufacturers increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles sold through 2035. The Advanced Clean Trucks standard sets annual sales requirements for zero-emission vehicles based on type, while the Heavy-Duty Low-NOx Omnibus aims to reduce smog-forming pollutants from diesel trucks.

"Right now, Gov. Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Keller can adopt common-sense, ready-made policies to accelerate zero-emission vehicle deployment in New Mexico," said Ona Porter of Prosperity Works.

If approved, these standards will apply to model-year 2027 vehicles available in showrooms by 2026. Susan Nedell from Environmental Entrepreneurs highlighted the opportunity provided by federal funding under the Inflation Reduction Act: "Adopting the Advanced Clean Cars and Trucks standards...means that New Mexico will be able to make the most of federal dollars."

Camilla Feibelman of Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter emphasized that these standards would save lives and aid in addressing climate challenges: "Studies show that adopting Clean Cars and Trucks standards will literally save lives in New Mexico."

Aaron Kressig from Western Resource Advocates added that these rules would benefit New Mexico's economy and improve air quality: "These standards will save drivers money at the gas pump."

In 2022, over 35 organizations within the New Mexico Clean Air coalition supported initial Clean Cars standards. However, those were rendered ineffective as they were not enacted before California's updated regulations. Passing updated standards along with additional measures could align New Mexico with essential pollution controls.