Delaware to Adopt California's Zero Emission Vehicle Regulations

A Brief Summary

Delaware State will adopt California's Zero Emission Vehicle regulation and join 13 other states looking forward to achieving net-zero emissions and green energy targets. The goal is to step up electric vehicle availability and provide drivers looking to purchase an electric vehicle with more choices at Delaware dealerships. The announcement was made by Delaware's Governor John Carney.

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The ZEV, managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), is designed to expedite the commercialization of plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. The regulations require that a certain percentage of the vehicles delivered for sale in a state are ZEV vehicles.

Manufacturers will receive credit for each delivered vehicle based on several factors, including the type of vehicle, range and others.

“In 2017, we signed on to the U.S. Climate Alliance, committing to reduce our carbon emissions by at least 26 per cent by 2025. Adopting ZEV regulations will help us make progress on those goals, as well as the other goals outlined in Delaware’s Climate Action Plan,” said Governor Carney. “By adopting the ZEV regulations, Delaware drivers won’t have to go out of state to find an electric vehicle to purchase, and our dealerships will benefit by keeping Delaware customers in Delaware. By creating a better environment for the sale and purchase of electric vehicles and aligning the environment with massive investments in infrastructure from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we will create a positive electric vehicle future in our state.”

In Delaware, transportation is one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions. According to DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Delaware Climate Action Plan includes increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles on Delaware roads and building out the state's electric vehicle charging network. The action plan is a two-year-long process involving residents, businesses and technical experts.

The strategies in the action plan, to a great extent, will reduce carbon pollution, improve air quality and help support fuels savings for the average consumer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the transition to the electric vehicle could save a household around $500 to $1000 on fuel expenses per year. Electric vehicles have lower maintenance costs than gasoline cars.

“Since 2015, Delaware has managed several successful incentive programs to encourage residents and businesses to switch to clean transportation alternatives,” said Secretary Garvin. “In tandem with the electric transportation infrastructure investments being made by the state, ZEV will help provide momentum to our transition to an electric transportation future.”

In November 2021, DNREC announced a $1.4 million grant program to increase the electric charging network in Delaware. The funding will also help expedite electric vehicle infrastructure in areas where access to charging stations is limited.

The federal Bipartisan law will provide $18 million to Delaware in the next five years to build electric charging stations along all major routes and contain funding opportunities for electric transit buses, electric school buses and other vehicle infrastructure.

At present, there are at least 45 ZEV models for customers in the United States, and more than 1.5 million ZEVs have been sold nationwide.