Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New York, along with 14 states and the District of Columbia, will develop an action plan to ramp up electrification of buses and trucks. In a joint memorandum of understanding, the state committed to work collaboratively to accelerate the market for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks.

The goal of the MOU is to ensure that 100% of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales be zero emission vehicles by 2050 with an interim target of 30% zero-emission vehicle sales in these categories of vehicles by 2030.

Signatories of the MOU include California, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

The transportation sector is now the nation's largest source of climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to unhealthy levels of ozone and smog in many parts of the U.S. Accelerating the electrification of trucks and buses will help achieve the deep, economy-wide emission reductions needed to avoid the worst consequences of climate change and protect public health. Trucks and buses account for an estimated 4% of vehicles on U.S. roadways, but contribute nearly a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.  

In addition, electrification of trucks and buses is anticipated to reduce the burden of air pollution that results from heavy truck traffic in communities. Diesel emissions from medium- and heavy-duty trucks contribute to elevated levels of particulate matter and air toxics. These emissions disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color, often located near major trucking corridors, ports and distribution hubs.

MOU signatories will work through the existing multi-state ZEV Task Force facilitated by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management to develop and implement a ZEV action plan for trucks and buses.