More electric trucks in New Mexico? State to adopt rules curbing gas-powered vehicles
More electric cars could be coming to New Mexico after the State’s administration pushed forward with rules requiring an increasing percent of vehicles sold in the state to not emit air pollution.
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) submitted its proposed rules to the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) July 7, calling for 82 percent of all passenger cars and trucks sold in New Mexico to have zero tail pipe emissions by 2032.
It was intended to give New Mexicans better access to zero- or low-emission transportation, as NMED contended the sector was the second-largest source of greenhouse gasses in the state.
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The agency said in a statement that greenhouse gasses contribute to climate change, and extreme weather events like wildfires – incidents largely triggered by human activities.
If enacted by the EIB, NMED said the rules would save “millions of dollars” in healthcare costs, lost workdays and years of life, and reduce air pollution particularly in highly trafficked areas.
“Greenhouse gases contribute to climate change that has caused more frequent and damaging wildfires, higher temperatures, and drought throughout the state,” read a statement from NMED. “Cars and trucks powered by fossil fuels in New Mexico contribute to our state's air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.”
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The rules do not outlaw the sale of any new or used gasoline-powered vehicles, and applies only to automakers, not dealers or consumers.
It would impact “new” vehicles if enacted meaning model years 2027 to 2032 with 7,500 or few miles.
The rules would bar any manufacturer, dealers, rental car agency, local government or person from delivering for sale any vehicles not certified by California vehicle emissions standards.
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Military, emergency and agriculture vehicles would be exempt from the rules, along with any that have mileage higher than 7,500 or any rented with a destination outside of New Mexico.
After submission to the EIB, public comments will be accepted on the rules for 60 days following a public hearing yet to be set.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham supported the rules as a means, she said, of curbing manmade pollution in the state.
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The governor’s office estimated the rules would cut 50,200 tons of nitrogen oxide pollution and 615 tons of particulate matter when fully enacted, along with 76 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Having the rules on the books would also put New Mexico at the front of the line to receive zero-emission vehicles from auto manufacturers, Lujan Grisham said.
The rules would compliment existing clean car rules adopted by the EIB in 2022, the State said, along with other initiatives aimed at reducing transportation pollution in New Mexico.
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This included $38 million annually for five years to build a networks of electric vehicle chargers along New Mexico’s highways, and applying for $1.25 billion in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish New Mexico as a hub for hydrogen power, read a news release from the State of New Mexico.
“These rules will speed up much-needed investment in New Mexico’s electric vehicle and clean hydrogen fueling infrastructure, create new job opportunities and, most importantly, result in cleaner and healthier air for all New Mexicans to breathe,” Lujan Grisham said.
NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said increasing access to low- or zero-emission cars would help reduce pollution and transition the state away from fossil fuels for transportation.
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“These new rules will ensure that all New Mexicans have access to a greater number of new zero and low-emission vehicle models, while hastening the transition away from polluting diesel and gasoline-powered cars and trucks,” he said.
A report from the Natural Resources Defense Council contended through its own research that New Mexico would receive $44 billion in health benefits through 2050 should the rules be put in place.
Joan Brown, executive director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light said the state had a moral responsibility to enact policy to reduce environmental degradation.
“The suffering we already see around us from climate change begs us to continue to take ethical and moral responsibility to address ways to stop the most harm in our sacred life community,” Brown said. “Adopting strong clean car rules is another important step to care for our communities and life in Our Common Home.”
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: New Mexico to adopt rules curbing pollution from gas-powered vehicles
