Clean Cars Minnesota

Comment Period Now Open: Clean Cars Minnesota 

Minnesota is poised to be the first state in the Midwest to adopt the Clean Car Standards – and we need your help.

Clean Cars MN is a groundbreaking set of rules proposed by Governor Walz to combat the biggest source of pollution in our state: the auto industry. It includes two different rules:

• The Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standard makes sure that Minnesota’s gasoline cars keep getting more efficient, despite Trump’s rollback.
• The Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standard goes one step further and requires car manufacturers to start shifting their Minnesota sales towards emission-free vehicles.

As of December 21, 2020, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has initiated a rulemaking process for the standards. This means members of the public can submit comments and testimony responding to the need and reasonableness of the rule. We want to make sure that over 1,000 MN350 members show up in support of this rule before March, when the comment period ends.

Add your voice below, and we’ll submit the comment to the MPCA. If you’re able, we want you to go a step further and sign up to attend one of our upcoming events on how to write a strong comment.

How Clean Cars MN will benefit Minnesotans

Passing this ruling will have many benefits for Minnesotans. To name a few:

Health benefits:

• Clean Cars would result in a long-term reduction in pollutants, improving air quality and overall public health for all Minnesotans.
• According to a report by the MPCA air pollutants lead to 2,000-4,000 deaths, 500 additional hospital stays, and 800 ER visits annually across the state, with the bulk of pollutants coming from transportation. Life & Breath report.
• The health burden of air pollution is predominantly borne by communities of color and low income communities – 32% of our state’s population are above risk guidelines for air pollution. Compare this to 46% of low income community members and 91% of communities of color and indigenous communities. The Air We Breathe.

Environmental benefits:

• Currently, the transportation sector in MN contributes 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with the majority of those from light duty vehicles (passenger cars & trucks). Clean Cars would promote the transition to cleaner, greener electric vehicles and decrease total vehicle emissions.
• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency estimates that adopting the Clean Cars standard would reduce annual carbon emissions by 2 million tons by 2030.

Save $

• Electricity is a less expensive and more price-stable source of fuel.
• Electric vehicles are 3-4x more fuel efficient than traditional combustion engine vehicles
• Despite a higher upfront cost, adopting the Clean Car standards would save the average Minnesota family $2,850 in gas.
• Electric vehicles maintenance and repair costs can be up to 60% lower than traditional vehicles because of simpler mechanics.

More Choice

• Of the 43 electric vehicle models available in the US, Minnesota dealerships currently only carry about half. Clean Cars will continually increase this number. Car makers have prioritized states who’ve adopted the Clean Car standards.