Massachusetts formally adopts Advanced Clean Cars II

On Thursday, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) formally amended the state’s Low Emission Vehicle Program, making tighter emissions standards for cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans, and light-duty trucks permanent.

Under the Advanced Clean Cars (ACCII) standards, car manufacturers will be required to gradually increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles they sell in Massachusetts, from 35% for the model year 2026 to 100% for the model year 2035. ACCII will also tighten tailpipe emission standards for new gasoline-powered vehicles.

Improved fuel economy for light-duty vehicles has been one of the most effective tools for reducing emissions from the transportation sector in Massachusetts. Despite a 24% increase in vehicle miles traveled since 1990, the state has still experienced a modest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, largely due to the adoption of the first Advanced Clean Cars Package in 2018.

Adopting the next generation standards under ACCII is a crucial step in improving air quality and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts, and light-duty passenger vehicles account for 78% of all vehicle-miles traveled in the state.

These new regulations will ensure that vehicles sold in Massachusetts are equipped with modern technology that not only safeguards the public against toxic air pollution but also addresses the pressing threat of climate change.